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Lymphocele or something more serious?
Hello,
I'm 38 and in a stable, committed long-term straight relationship.
I've developed a small lump on my penis, on the underside near the head, close to where the foreskin attaches, on the right hand side.
There is a raised area emanating from the little lump, which is whitish under the surface and slightly cord like (I can see thin white channels that seem to run along with the raised bit), running for just over a centimetre along the circumference of the penis (I can add a picture but don't seem to have the option on this page).
It's been present for 2.5 weeks so far. It is completely painless, and appears slightly blister like below the skin (the skin is unbroken).
When I noticed it, my girlfriend had been away from home for a week and I had not masturbated for most of that week (or may have masturbated but without coming, I don't remember for sure), but had done the day before.
My girlfriend has not noticed it and we've been having sex every few days since I noticed it.
I was very worried about it but then did a fair amount of internet research and decided it was most likely a lymphocele/mild sclerosing lymphangitis, but I thought I'd better have an expert take a look online and hopefully give me a likely diagnosis/prognosis, in case it was something more serious.
Thank you very much for your opinion.
I'm 38 and in a stable, committed long-term straight relationship.
I've developed a small lump on my penis, on the underside near the head, close to where the foreskin attaches, on the right hand side.
There is a raised area emanating from the little lump, which is whitish under the surface and slightly cord like (I can see thin white channels that seem to run along with the raised bit), running for just over a centimetre along the circumference of the penis (I can add a picture but don't seem to have the option on this page).
It's been present for 2.5 weeks so far. It is completely painless, and appears slightly blister like below the skin (the skin is unbroken).
When I noticed it, my girlfriend had been away from home for a week and I had not masturbated for most of that week (or may have masturbated but without coming, I don't remember for sure), but had done the day before.
My girlfriend has not noticed it and we've been having sex every few days since I noticed it.
I was very worried about it but then did a fair amount of internet research and decided it was most likely a lymphocele/mild sclerosing lymphangitis, but I thought I'd better have an expert take a look online and hopefully give me a likely diagnosis/prognosis, in case it was something more serious.
Thank you very much for your opinion.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. In our business (STIs) we are often asked to help evaluate genital lesions so I will be happy to comment but my comments will not take the place of being evaluated by a health care provider who can directly examine you to guide his/her assessment. What you describe does not sound at all like an STI. I would suggest that a urologist would be the best such person to do so.
In addition, further information would be helpful as well to augment your very good description. Since the lesion appeared, has it changed in any meaningful way, getting larger or smaller? Further, has there been any change in color?
There are many benign conditions which can lead to appearance of small cystic (and presumably fluid-filled) lesions on the penis. Prominent against them are simple cysts of sebaceous (sweat) glans which can appear under the surface of the penile skin, as well as lymphocoeles. Another cause of genital lesions in this location are "bumps" referred to as pearly penile papules which can go unnoticed as well although this does not sound like that. Either way, I suspect this is a benign process. The "white channels" you noticed may be connective tissue which have become more visible because of the presence of the cyst.
I hope these comments are helpful. I think you should seek the evaluation of a urologist. In the interim however, I doubt that this is anything terribly serious. EWH
In addition, further information would be helpful as well to augment your very good description. Since the lesion appeared, has it changed in any meaningful way, getting larger or smaller? Further, has there been any change in color?
There are many benign conditions which can lead to appearance of small cystic (and presumably fluid-filled) lesions on the penis. Prominent against them are simple cysts of sebaceous (sweat) glans which can appear under the surface of the penile skin, as well as lymphocoeles. Another cause of genital lesions in this location are "bumps" referred to as pearly penile papules which can go unnoticed as well although this does not sound like that. Either way, I suspect this is a benign process. The "white channels" you noticed may be connective tissue which have become more visible because of the presence of the cyst.
I hope these comments are helpful. I think you should seek the evaluation of a urologist. In the interim however, I doubt that this is anything terribly serious. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Won't hurt. It could make a cyst better....or worse however. If the latter, I suggest you see someone. EWH
Hello again Doctor.
Final question. If a lymphocele or a cyst, is a daily warm compress worth a try?
Thanks.
Final question. If a lymphocele or a cyst, is a daily warm compress worth a try?
Thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, no change in my assessmetn, or my advice. EWH
I don't expect to go to a urologist at this stage, but if I end up going I will post an update. Just checking - nothing I said in my follow up post gave further cause for concern? Thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks. Please let us know what your urologist say. The fact that it may be improving is also most consistent with a benign process. EWH
In addition, I posted a pic on the general medhelp forum if that's useful:
http://www.medhelp.org/photos/show/9230230?type=posts
http://www.medhelp.org/photos/show/9230230?type=posts
Thank you for your swift response, Dr Hook. It was reassuring.
In answer to your questions, it does not really seem to have changed in any obvious way. It might be my imagination but if anything it might be settling down just slightly. It's certainly not getting any worse judging by outward appearance.
Nor has it changed colour. It's whitish under the surface. If I pull the skin around it taut, I think I can see what appears to be a small cyst/blister-like pocket of whitishness a few millimetres in diameter.
Due to my steady, trusted relationship, I didn't really suspect an STI, and I wanted to check the possibility of it being something cancerous.
Thanks again for your comments.
In answer to your questions, it does not really seem to have changed in any obvious way. It might be my imagination but if anything it might be settling down just slightly. It's certainly not getting any worse judging by outward appearance.
Nor has it changed colour. It's whitish under the surface. If I pull the skin around it taut, I think I can see what appears to be a small cyst/blister-like pocket of whitishness a few millimetres in diameter.
Due to my steady, trusted relationship, I didn't really suspect an STI, and I wanted to check the possibility of it being something cancerous.
Thanks again for your comments.
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