RIGHT TESTICLE: Measures 5.4 x 3.1 x 3.6 cm. Heterogeneous, well-circumscribed intratesticular mass measuring approximately 4.4 x 3.7 x 2.8 cm, with increased internal color Doppler flow and tiny internal cystic component measuring approximately 3 mm. No associated calcification.

42 bHCG

normal CBC

Going for a CT scan before my orchiectomy next Tuesday

Is there anything else I should be checking in the meantime? Also is that HCG level high or low? it says <=5 is normal on my hospital app.

I’m between cycles 2 and 3 of EPx4, went in for blood work today. Everything looks good except hcg came back 0.8. On last two draws it had shown up as <0.5 which i guess means undetectable. My oncologist at MSK has assured me it’s nothing to worry about, normal fluctuation, and yet—I’m worried anyway! Has this happened to anyone? Thanks!

Orchiectomy 10/1 (righty)

Biopsy 10/9: 3.2cm pure seminoma

Ct scan 11/6: 18mm right external illiac lymph node- doc concerned since same side as affected testicle and in obvious path of potential spread, ordered pet scan

PET scan 11/27: increased tracer uptake (suv:6.4) anterior to right acetabulum

Radiologist summary: “this could be related to postoperative inflammation/infection but the possibility of metastatic disease is difficult to exclude”

Just read the radiology report today, waiting for urologist to call me to discuss. Kind of bummed nothing definitive in report but guessing I’m looking at chemo. Urologist sounded like they were already leaning towards chemo based on the ct scan, pet scan was for confirmation. Definitely doesn’t look it ruled anything out. Not sure the point of this post just anxious tbh

Anyone wanna keep me entertained?

First of all kudos to this community, I've been lurking ever since I found my lump and all the info I got here is amazing.

Lump was discovered at the end of September. MRI, CT and blood markers were all clear throughout October, had my orchi at the begining of November. Rip leftie...

My histopatology came back as pure seminoma, 13x12x12 with testicular atrophy in leftie ( 30x30x20 mm ) with no LVI.

What confused me a bit is this: "It associates a rich lymphoid and plasmacytic infiltrate, intratubular neoplasia with germ cells and pagetoid extension in the rete testis".

From what I've read pagetoid extension is not a "true" invasion.

I now have to choose between surveillance only and 2 AUC7 carboplatin doses. My oncologist was leaning towards adjuvant because "this is what she does". I live in Europe, and there are no high volume TC facilities in my country.

From what I saw the reoccurrence rate are ranging from 6-20% with surveillance only and carboplatin would lower it to 1-6%.

What drives me crazy is the 6-20% reoccurrence rates. From 6% to 20% is insane...

I know it basically is a choice of how I handle risk, but the doctors are driving me crazy at this point. One of them recommended radiotherapy, one chemo and the other one surveillance...

Yo!

I will be interviewing an anesthesiologist for an upcoming episode of It Takes Balls and would love to know what questions you have.

There are no dumb questions - I’ll definitely be asking how it works, side effects, etc.

Do you have anything that would ease your mind or that would have eased your mind to know before your surgery/ies?

Thanks!

I recently underwent an orchiectomy and am now exploring the option of getting a prosthetic. Has anyone here gotten a testicular prosthetic placed through the scrotum under local anesthesia?

Was on a 10 hour drive to visit family during the drive around the last 2 hours I felt some testicular pain/discomfort, but didn't think to much of it since it went away. A week later passes by, and I'm back on the 10 hour drive which was today and just about 2 hrs in I felt the same pain again but just a slightly little more, with lower back pain, and a bloated bladder. Currently still feel the symptoms even though I stopped driving around 3 hours ago. What do you guys think it could be?

Hi my surgery will be soon and I talked to my doctor about banking sperm and he seemed to think it wouldn’t be necessary. I want kids bad one day and I wanted to ask on here has anyone had an orchiectomy and then had no problem having kids? What is your experiences?

The day is rapidly approaching friends. I tried searching but didn’t find significant postings about this (which I think is good) but who had active cancer found in their post rplnd pathology and needed further chemo? Trying to walk into this thing with confidence it’s the cure.

Hi all! I recently completed the third treatment week of my 3xBEP. Still got my two Bleo treatments coming up but man does it feel good to be done with those grind weeks.

Wanted to reach out and see what people found successful with getting back into work and just regular life again. Any books, podcasts, brain games, and anything that helped you? Worried about lack of motivation and drive coming back. Set to get back to work and off disability 1/13 and wanted to set some goals for myself to be ready! Thanks in advance!

Hey guys, I thought I share more of the mental experiences of testicular cancer and how to cope with it. I just wanted to say I applaud all of you for how strong you all are for fighting and being strong . The mental battle is 90% of the whole journey. To speak about my experience I was diagnosed 2-3 weeks ago. Had my orchiectomy this last Friday. Think they said 7-10 days before results and I’m just dreading life . The week before the orchiectomy was the worst week of my life by far. I moved back home from college , had to take a leave from my final quarter , had to tell a bunch of friends . Was crying , sobbing , searching on google and struggling so much with this sad sad diagnosis. Blood tests came back pre orchi normal afp and ldh 70 hcg. Regardless of all that I went in a huge spiral negatively , started looking at the super unfortunate stories of rare horrible cases of tc and I’m stressing for the call/ my chart notification , I just keep thinking for the worst I just wanna be healthy and I don’t know what to expect and this is a huge mess tbh I had a general idea of what I was gonna say but I don’t think I kept any of it. I do have to thank some amazing people in this sub who have helped but nothings working. I don’t know how to feel and how to cope with this anxiety .

Hi All,

My husband (32) found a small lump on his testicle a month ago. At the ultrasound they couldn’t figure out what it was and found another small lump so referred him to urologist. Within a week they found his AFP to be 10.8 out of the scale of 6 and had him in for the testicle removal within 3 days. CT scan showed no spread. We just got results and the urologist said it was a seminoma but his AFP is still 10.4. After surgery his creatine was also 200 (10 before surgery) and urologist dismissed it as nothing. He’s been referred to an oncologist as he recommends chemo who we’re waiting to hear from.

All- when do you find out if it’s pure seminoma or mixed and what stage? The urologist has been pretty unhelpful. I’m worried it’s mixed due to the elevated AFP but I’ve seen some peoples AFP is normal around 10 even though it’s off scale. Were not a fan of his urologist so was curious what others experiences were and when we can expect actual answers from the docs/process.

Hey all,

Just wanted to share my current situation as I feel kind of alone (even with the best partner in the world who has been super supportive.)

I'm 34, and month ago I went to my urologist with some dull but constant pain in my right testicle. For some history, I was born with am undescended testicle. My parents had me seen when I was younger but apparently felt it was ok enough to keep and just monitor.. fast forward a couple decades and having some pain for a year or longer.. my urologist told me it was most likely nothing but since it caused me discomfort, he recommended a radical orchiectomy. Didn't even do an ultrasound since he was so certain he didn't feel anything on the physical examination of my testicle.

Got scheduled for the radical orchiectomy and a week later he called and said they found Seminoma. I know, lucky that it's pure Seminoma.. well hopefully. Just got labs and most have came back good! But going to my CT scan Wednesday and I'm going through pretty major "scanxiety"...

Again, just wanted to vent. Also maybe looking for some advice on how to treat my partner.. he's going through some emotions too, of course. But my way of dealing with serious things tends to be humor.. and it's not the best for him. But this is all new to me at the same time so I'm just so frustrated.. I try to read as much as I can and learn as much as I can, but he gets nervous when I do that because he doesn't want me to "obsess." But with it being like under a week since my diagnosis I feel it's normal.. is it?

Thanks.. sorry if this was all word salad..

Finished Chemo almost 2 months ago, hair and everything has grown back. I have 2 month follow up scans on Tuesday, oncology follow up the following Tuesday. Everything seems back to normal now, i’m 24 but the constant tiredness, lack of motivation, and a definite decrease in sex drive is noticeable. Has anyone else been through this? The dr.’s haven’t been concerned about test levels at all, maybe I just haven’t given it enough time? I’ve had them tested before and I was on the higher end of ng/dl but feels like if I had to guess i’m at the bottom end now.

So about 8 years ago I felt a lump on my right testical and thought maybe I just never felt it before and maybe it's "nothing" so ignored it but as some years pass my testicles have gotten hard and heavy to the point I don't feel them anymore unless I squeeze but I was just so scared to do anything or look anything up and I thought maybe it's too late so I just kept going and now it's 8 years later and this past year my stomach had gotten heavier and there's constant pressure pushing on my stomach 24/7 so now it's literally all I can think about and I've been so stressed and pissed at myself for not doing anything about. Well tomorrow we're finally going to the doctor to I guess confirm what I already know and I guess I was wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and if it's too late to do anything about it? I've always been so terrified of dying and now its all I think about all day every day especially at night ill give myself panic attacks.

Hi I'm 19 and recently have been experiencing dull aching in my left nut. I also realized that i am not able to masterbate without feeling this dull aching. If I do masturbate, I feel discomfort in my left nut (as if the nut was out of place). I do not feel abnormal lumps but my left nut feels hard and is more forward than my right nut. I am honestly scared to get it checked out, but is this something I should be worried about?

In this episode of It Takes Balls, Dr. Richard Matulewicz, a urologic surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), explores the crucial topic of health-related quality of life for testicular cancer patients and survivors. Dr. Matulewicz explains how patient-centered outcomes—such as body image, mental health, and fears of recurrence—are reshaping care for a cancer that overwhelmingly affects young men with decades of life ahead of them.

The discussion dives into how testicular cancer’s high survival rates make addressing long-term challenges—like financial burdens, fertility concerns, and post-treatment anxieties—more important than ever. Dr. Matulewicz shares insights on innovative tools, including patient-reported surveys and proactive recovery trackers, designed to capture the full spectrum of patient experiences and improve outcomes beyond physical health.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/it-takes-balls/id1590038802?i=1000678760460

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4NBzXkKsfGGxQjIcCLQXdR?si=-ZytwiEwR0GBJhsDoEbYAg

YouTube: https://youtu.be/k6IKtfMQJt4

Hi guys, I am here to look for advice about low testosterone after unilateral orchiectomy. Orchiectomy was about 2.5years ago, no further treatment since it was a benign tumor. Ever since I had the surgery, I feel like I'm less masculine. Libido and erection quality have significantly reduced. I'm not trying to be a pervert but really can't get aroused unless I touch my junk. It feels so weird and depressing because I used to have a healthy amount of sex drive and spontaneous erections. Now I can only erect while touching mself and the erections are weak. Also, I'm having symptoms like tireness/weakness, no motivation, reduced strength and endurance.

Testosterone level before orchiectomy was 762ng/dl. After orchiectomy, I visited many different urologists and endocrinologists for my symptoms. Checking testosterone level multiple times, the results are fluctuating from around 405 to 750 (400s x3 times, 500s x5 times, 600s x1 and 750 x1). Because the numbers are within the range, doctors said my symptoms s are not related to testosterone. I insist my symptoms is testosterone related because my LH hormone has a increasing trend since orchiectomy and the last few bloodwork shows slightly elevated results. If LH is high, it basically means the brain is signaling the body to make more testosterone because it is deficient.

Some doctors thinks my problem is psychological and suggest me to take antidepressant SSRI. I do think I have depression and anxiety but I believe they are caused by testosterone deficiency. Does anyone have similar experience? Can someone give me some advice please, I'm so desperate.

At the time of getting my testicle removed due to cancer I didn't get an implant but now a few years later I have been thinking about getting an implant. Has anyone had these thoughts? Has anyone done it a few years later? Is it covered or does it have to be payed out of pocket at that point?

Okay last night I was sizing up my balls as I felt the left is smaller and then went to sleep I woke up to pee and noticed there some bearable pain arround my right nut and it super big compared to the left. I went to the gym did treadmill for 30min 2 hours strength then went to work for the 3 days and today it still feels full and the hose arround it feels swollen. It only hurts when I feel arround it other then that it's fine. Chatgpt says could epididymitis, testicular torsion, varicocele, hydrocele, kidney stones, inguinal hernia, or orchitis. I just hoping it go away but it's not. I don't like seeing the doctor as it's expensive especially with these ultrasound and surgery. I haven had sex in two weeks so couldn't be epididymitis it's not hurting as bad so rule out the TT, I had history of vericus vines I my family brother, and uncle so possibly. Kidney stones possible but I don't have other Kidney stones symptoms, inguinal hernia mmm mybe, and I shower and keep myself clean so idk if it's orchitis. I called the doc it's been almost 7 days and still feels weird I thought my immune system should don't something by now but nahhh. Any tips

Hi! Looking for guidance and assurance

I might be one of those unlucky few at 34 with a potential Testicular cancer recurrence in my right testicle (left was removed at 27). Would anyone be open to discussing your experience post bi lateral orchiectomy and TRT recommendations?. Just looking for some support to ease my anxiety. I still have to get tested and ultrasounds to confirm anything but with my luck a small lump on my remaining testicle can’t be good.

It’s a very demoralizing moment for me. I feel I’m in my sexual and physical prime at 34, new girlfriend, Wonderful career with a lot of respect from my community and I just feel the potential of being castrated in my 30s to be challenging for me to grasp.

Any experience with TRT and what is the best type to utilize and their effect on sex life and physical wellness would be appreciated. Thanks community!

Hi there, I've had a majorly stressful last couple months. I originally had a small testicular lump found in my left testicle. I was booked in for radical orchi but was also going to be discussed by an MDT first cause it's so small. They then found some weird findings around my lungs on my PET CT. For context I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis 4 years ago with enlarged lymph nodes around my lungs. They discussed me and decided to order an EBUS because of a 10mm nodules at the bottom of my left lung which they don't think is related to the testicle. They haven't given me much context apart from they have to rule out cancer but my doctor has said it's highly likely inflammation due to my sacoidosis but it doesn't present as sacroidosis specifically. I'm so damn scared that a lung cancer diagnosis is coming. I'm fit and healthy with no symptoms. I'm living with so much fear. Is it pretty much set in stone to be lung cancer if they have ordered an EBUS?

Hi guys i had TC, i hope i can say i have had it and dont have it anymore and need some reassurance.

I had orchi 2 months ago, pre op markers were normal except bhcg 6 iu/l and post op it went to near 0.

Ct and ultrasound said no metastases but ct showed a few reactive looking nodes. I had 5 cm tumor rvi and lvi seminoma.

I received 1 dose of adjuvant carboplatin.

I am now waiting on pet/ct results.

I am thinking about this non stop i am afraid of chemo but i am also much more afraid of dying to the point i think about it a lot and cry which i usually dont do.

I am so afraid of those reactive nodes.

How often do reactive nodes turn out to be metastatic?

Hi! I haven't came and posted in a while, as some may know my husband was diagnosed with stage 2B testicular cancer at 100% embryonal carcinoma.. he recently completed chemotherapy in mid July and after 4 weeks had a ct scan completed which showed he still had retroperitoneal lymph node enlarged at 1.1 mm which Dr believed would still shrink in size and wanted to monitor within another 6 weeks he completed his scan and got results where no lymph nodes were enlarged and had completely disappeared.. my husband is scheduled for a 3 month scan in Jan. And we are hoping to close this chapter and move forward however I can't help but always worry for him and whatever pain etc he feels I am always on edge as to what if it's back.. just recently Thursday he has been feeling body chills and today has had a headache plus nausea he has no fever or any other symptoms.. he has also after chemo stated he feels some days his finger tips tingle as if they were to fall asleep as well as from his knees to his ankles.. we had mentioned this to oncology ma and were told its possible neuropathy and can get better within 6 months post chemotherapy. I don't want to over react and have him goto the ER and for it to be nothing and just a virus? Or post chemotherapy side effects.. lol but has anyone else experienced these symptoms post chemotherapy ?

Hello all!

I have read many posts but haven’t encountered any with surveillance alone being successful. I was diagnosed with a testes contained Pure Seminoma, 4.2 cm with LVI in left testicle. Had surgery two weeks ago. Slowly healing.

Blood and CT scan are all normal. Meet with oncologist in two weeks.

Just wondering if people with being successful with just the surgery alone don’t come back to update or don’t come here at all. I see many with relapse. Just curious.

I have more scans regarding my AFP levels in 4 weeks. So basically 2 years ago it was 180 ku/l then 6 months after that it went too 212 ku/l and 2 weeks ago it’s down for 80.5ku/l. I’ve had no diagnosis or any treatment. I have two questions. Why has it been so high for 2 years? and what could it be considering it has come down?

At this point I’m convinced that I have TC but was curious to hear if anyone else had similar symptoms?

Ultrasound scheduled for 11/30

Symptoms:

Right testicle is 2x bigger than the left one and got much harder over a short period of time, no lumps but it doesn’t feel anything like the left testicle.

Gyno (lump under both nipples) sensitive and painful

Hi everybody this is my second time posting in here. A year ago I got rlly scared once I noticed a small lump under my right testicle, I didnt hesitate to go to the doctor, as a matter of fact I went to 2 doctors bc the first one dismissed my fears as nothing only for the second one to also not even be able to find the lump. This first ball felt smooth and like a small bubble. After some research (some of it in this subreddit) I ended up checking my own testicles w a flashlight and noticed the lump was transparent and round which according to my googling was not such a dangerous occurrence, also I was scared of going to the doctor further bc it proved quite stressful and useless.

Fast forward till a week ago I started feeling a light yet persistent pain in the same spot, I figured it might be related to the bubble-like lump but just today I was checking again and I found a second, very different lump under the first one. This one is pointy, harder and less loose and it very unequivocally hurts when touched, literally feels like a very, very tiny horn.

At this point is not a question I want to get it checked as soon as possible the only problem is Im at the moment out on a holiday w my gf for the next week, and then my question is should I get it checked inmediately or is this normally a thing that could wait another week? Also any tips for making sure the doctor takes me seriously? Is it okay to ask directly for tests that discard or confirm possible tumours/cancer?

Thanks for reading and also sorry for the long post, I might be panicking a bit too much

TL,DR: small pointy, slightly painful lump under testicle should I go out of my way to get it checked asap or can it wait until end of my holiday?

My boyfriend just got diagnosed with testicular cancer today. Bloodwork and CAT scan today, surgery Monday. I want to do whatever I can to help him through this. I’ve read all the stories that you guys have posted, and it really seems like there is a lot of light at the end of the tunnel.

It’s a stressful situation, but any suggestions on how I can help him and support him through this without being too overbearing .