microlithiasis, testicles and effing googling
Two weeks ago, because of some minor groin pain, I went for an ultrasound... on my groin and testicles.
The report came back that I microlithiasis in my testicles, and that this could be associated with neoplasm. Neoplasm is a another way of talking about possible cancer.
So I went to the web and google microlithiasis. Sure enough, articles reported that microlithiasis, the presence of tiny calcium particles in the testes, can be predictive of cancer. Several places reported that if there are more than five particles then the likelihood of the development of cancer was 40 percent.
Then I went back to the report from the radiologist, which I had faxed to my office, with explicit instructions to my staff not to read it.
"Multiple echogneic calcifications," the report indicated.
"Forty percent likelood of cancer" kept repeating in my head.
The word orchiectomy, popped into my head more than a few times-- it means removal of testicals-- to be followed by implants and replacement testosterone.
The morning of the appointment, as I was preparing to leave to go to the urologist, I smelled something burning-- something electrical. WE couldn't find any smoke, let alone fire. But as I left the house, feeling bad about leaving, my other half called the fire department. Me, I was feeling my appointment was more important.
ON arriving, filling in the forms, I was amazed that the doctor brought me in right on time. He told me he had his own ultrasound machine and was going to do another ultrasound.
He turned the monitor around so I could see it. And then he explained that he wasn't very worried. Okay. I like that. I listen attentively.
He explains that testicular cancer is very rare-- very very rare in guys my age-- that 99% of cases occur in men between 16 and 30-- "Lance Armstrong types," he says.
I breathe a deep sigh of relief. Here's one day I'm glad to be over fifty.
My urologist refers to the monitor. "I don't see any calcifications... oh, maybe there's one there." Another pinprick deflating my fears.
He wraps up telling me he's not concerned, that I should come back in a year, just to be sure, but that most likely, then, he'll discharge me.
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