Most testicular lumps and swellings are caused by benign (non-cancerous) conditions, although occasionally they can be a symptom of testicular cancer. It's important to see your GP if you notice a lump or swelling in one of your testicles so they can try to identify the cause and arrange any further tests if necessary.
Most lumps are soft and fluid-filled and may make your scrotum look a little swollen; these are usually harmless and often go away without treatment.
Testicular cancer
The lump will usually form on the front or side of a testicle. It will often feel hard, and the entire testicle may feel firmer than usual. A lump can develop inside the testicle, or just under the skin.
A spermatocele presents as a cyst distinct from the testis that can transilluminate or feel like a third testicle on physical examination.
See a GP as soon as possible if you notice a swelling, lump or any other change in 1 of your testicles. Most lumps within the scrotum are not cancerous, but it's important to get checked as soon as possible. Treatment for testicular cancer is much more effective when started early.
Scrotal masses caused by a bacterial infection, as is usually the case with epididymitis, are treated with antibiotics. Viral infections causing epididymitis or orchitis are usually treated with rest, ice and pain relief medication.
Most often, the first symptom of testicular cancer is a lump on the testicle, or the testicle becomes swollen or larger. (It's normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other, and for one to hang lower than the other.) Some testicular tumors might cause pain, but most of the time they don't.
Stage 1 is the earliest stage of testicular cancer. The cancer is only in the testicle and hasn't spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs. Stage 1 is split into stage 1A and 1B depending on the size of the tumour. Stage 1S means you have raised levels of markers in your blood after surgery.
A painless lump or swelling on either testicle. If found early, a testicular tumor may be about the size of a pea or a marble, but it can grow much larger. Pain, discomfort, or numbness in a testicle or the scrotum, with or without swelling. Change in the way a testicle feels or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
A tumor may feel more like a rock than a grape. A cancerous lump is usually hard, not soft or squishy. And it often has angular, irregular, asymmetrical edges, as opposed to being smooth, Dr.
Survival for testicular cancer is very high. Nearly all men survive their disease. Survival depends on many factors, so no one can tell you exactly how long you'll live. It depends on your individual condition, type of cancer, treatment and level of fitness.
Testicular cancer incidence is strongly related to age, with the highest incidence rates being in the 30 to 34 age group.
Calcifications: These are small structures in the testicle or along the main sperm pipeline (vas) can become hard, almost rock like. These are always painless and rarely need to be removed.
Testicular cancer has a very fast onset. If not detected early, the cancerous tumors can grow rapidly, with the ability to double in size in just 10 - 30 days.
Testis cancer is most common in men in their late 20s and early 30s, with an average age of diagnosis of 33 years old. In fact, testis cancer is the most common malignancy among men 20 to 40 years old.
Testicular cancer can usually be cured in patients who receive adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy after their primary treatment.
So when we say testicular cancer has an overall 5-year relative survival rate of 95%, here's what that means: you are 95% as likely as the rest of the population to live at least another 5 years. In fact, your chances of living to a ripe old age are about as good as anyone else's.
Testicular pain can be caused by sudden injury, inflammation, sexually transmitted infections or an emergency condition called testicular torsion (twisting). This condition can cause a dull ache in the scrotum, sometimes along with swelling.
Testicular cancer is not usually painful. But the first symptom for some men is a sharp pain in the testicle or scrotum.
Some of the main causes are: varicoceles – swellings caused by swollen and enlarged veins within the scrotum. hydroceles – swellings caused by a build-up of fluid around the testicle. epididymal cysts – lumps caused by a collection of fluid in the epididymis (a coiled tube behind the testicles)
Don't panic: You may feel nervous, scared or worried. These feelings are completely normal, but it's best to remain calm. Most testicular lumps are benign. Understand that lumps may be caused by other conditions: Often, testicular lumps are caused by something other than testicular cancer.
The testicles should feel smooth, without any lumps or bumps, and firm but not hard. You may feel a soft tube at the back of each testicle, which is called the epididymis. If you notice any changes or anything unusual about your testicles, you should see a GP.
If the cyst is small and causing no problems then all you need to do is keep an eye on it and see a doctor if it gets bigger or painful. Children do not usually need treatment because most cysts disappear by themselves. However it may take up to four years to resolve.