I found a lump in my scrotum

Factual Questions
21

No, no, no, definately NOT a zit or boil or anything. Like I said, it’s inside the sac itself. I can move it around and shit, but it always goes back to right near the right teste. It’s about the size of a chickle and is painful under pressure, like being kicked in the balls. Otherwise, I don’t even notice it sometimes, although it aches occassionally. ‘They’ve’ always ached occassionally, I didn’t know why (not blueballs, perv), I guess I should attribute it to this.

I’m thinking probably hydrocele, seeing as how it’s not ‘wormy’ like the varicocele. It feels EXACTLY like a tiny 3rd testicle, except no tubing.

I don’t have the cash to go to the doc right now (co-pay, all in all, should end up about $50 for exam, X-rays, etc) but I’m thinking of asking Dad for the money.

I was scared shitless last night. Then I watched the Daily Show and calmed down considerably.

–Tim

22

Homer,

Get your ass (and testicles) to a doctor and worry about paying for it later. I’m sure your parents or friends will pony up the $50 to get it checked out.

<Dr Boscibo> I’ve heard if you let it go too long you will have to get the whole thing chopped off.</Dr>

For real, Homer…you will worry until you get it checked out and why put yourself through the stress?

23

With me it was a varicocele. But the bigger issue here is that this is your testicles. In addition to their normal delightful function, let’s remember that they are a major component of your hormone system. If they go out of whack, YOU go out of whack. Borrow some money if you have to and get it checked out sooner rather than later.

24

Be happy that its not attached to the testicle.

25

Tim -

Get to a doctor. My list of benign possibilities was intended to keep you from losing sleep unnecessarily in the 1 or 2 nights before you went to a doctor.

Go to a doctor today. I can tell you many possible things that a scrotal mass could be, both benign AND cancerous, but I can’t tell you what your scrotal mass is, and that’s the only one that really matters to you.

Go to a doctor now. Did you know that testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men aged 18-35? Caught early, these cancers are highly responsive to treatment with excellent long-term survival. Caught late, they are very serious, likely to have spread and kill entirely too many young men.

All in all, I really think you should go see a doctor. You asked for no scare stories, no condolences, no sympathies. People respected that. You also assured everyone you were going to see your doctor immediately. People reacted to that by being supportive and reassuring. Please tell us you have decided to see a doctor as soon as possible - like call now to be seen today or tomorrow or I would hope that 10,000 dopers will all post their scare stories here, along with condolences & sympathies. When you call & talk to the doctor’s office about scheduling this visit, I can assure you that they will take this very seriously.

Go see a doctor.

26

Nothing to add just:

When I worked at a doctor’s office the most tragic referral I had to do was a 16-year-old boy who has testicular cancer. It was so sad.

27

Quoth tomndebb:

Oh, great, Tom, not only are you smarter and more resourceful than the rest of us, but you’re more manly, too? Now I feel really inferior :slight_smile:

Seriously, though. I had a hydrocele last winter, and went to a doctor about it. If it really is just a hydrocele, it should only take him about 15 minutes to determine that. Of course, if it’s not benign, then it’s worth it to you to get it taken care of, no matter how much time and money it costs. This is your life and your future reproductive capability we’re talking about here-- What else would you spend that fifty bucks on?

28

My father survived a bout with testicular cancer. About 15 years ago, I noticed a small lump on one of my testicles. I was quite panicky and I called my parents (I was still in college) and they got me an appointment with the same doctor who treated my father.

The urologist determined that I had a granular cyst and had nothing to worry about. I felt much better. The doctor did not dismiss my worry and was quite understanding.

The cyst is still there as it is quite small.

Doctors have told me that this particular type of cancer doesn’t seem to run in families however.

29

Bob, why would it be testicular cancer if its not attached to the testes?

30

If a cancerous tumor is located wholly within the testicle, it may not be palpable to the untrained person. Once it begins to metastasize, the new tumors can form along the spermatic cord, and into the abdomen. This flavor of cancer is very fast growing, and usually invades the abdomenal lymph system first, then moves to the lungs, liver and brain, spawning tumors all along the way. Within six months it can be too late. Miracle recoveries from tertiary testicular cancer, like cyclist Lance Armstrong, are not the norm. Get to a doctor, and soon.

I know whereof I speak, because I had my left testicle removed in 1999 because of a malignant tumor.

31

I don’t know if this question was directed to me or not.

However, in rereading my post, I meant to say that my doctor didn’t dismiss my worry about the cyst as groundless. He thought it was a good idea to get it checked out.

I still have that cyst and it hasn’t gotten any bigger or smaller.

32

Okay. I have a lump in my throat. I pray to god that these are not the same lumps :slight_smile:

33

Hydroceles are generally round, not tender, not part of the testicle, and you can shine a light through them. Testicular cancers are generally part of the testicle, firm, not tender, and you can’t shine a light through them. However, these are generalizations. There is no substitute for an examination by an experienced clinician who will probably be able to tell you what it is with reasonable certainty based on physical examination. If any question remains that it might be cancerous, a simple ultrasound exam will probably be the next step. I look forward to hearing the final diagnosis soon.

34

Hey I just went through this! I went to my family doctor, who referred me to a urologist, who made an appointment for an ultrasound. The only bad part was the poor guy doing my ultrasound kept cracking jokes. I think he was more uncomfortable with it than I was. Anyway, turned out to be a harmless cyst.

Homer, testicular cancer is rare, but is the most common form of cancer in men age 15-30. The only lump you should feel is your epidydymis. Lumps caused by TC are usually NOT painful, so that is a hopeful sign.

35

Any word yet bro?

Vis

36

Okay, Thursday at 3 pm, I have an appointment with a GP who’ll set me up with a urologist. I really don’t like the idea of showing off my balls to some older asian gentleman. ::sigh::

–Tim

37

Ok Tim, you did the right thing. I’ll check back here Thursday night to see how you are.

38

Update

Manny or Chronos, seeing as how this is no longer a GQ, feel free to lock or move the thread.

Thanks for everyone’s support.

–Tim

39

Scrotum lumps are a common cause of referral to a urologist. Many are benign. If you’re that worried, get it checked. If you aren’t that worried or do your own doctorin’, read on. You should consider all the diagnoses below.

Testicular torsion – twisting of the spermatic cord, cutting off the blood supply. Hurts like hell, and usually pain and swelling associated with minor trauma in adolescents. If this is what you had, you needed rapid surgery within 6-12 hours or your testicle can’t be salvaged. In medicine, you worry about what is important and what is common. This is both, but doesn’t fit.

Testicular appendage – appendix testis and appendix epididymis are fairly common; paradidymis organ of Giraldes and Vas Aberrans of Haller appendages are very rare, aso furgetaboutit. Tender, pea-sizwed nodules near the upper pole of the testis. May see a blue dot through the scrotal skin.

Tumour – in young men 20-40. Hard, non-tender. Benign tumours rare. All testicular masses are considered malignant until proven otherwise. They don’t usually transilluminate.

Epididymitis – sudden onset of pain and swelling. Elevating the scrotum decreases the pain. Voiding is irritating. Fixation of the testicle to the scrotum wall suggests abcess

Hydrocele – Sac of water which can be easily aspirated. Occasionally associated with tumour or infection. If you hold a flashlight to your sack in the dark, it lights up like only a sack full of clear fluid can.

Spermatocele – a retention cyst with cloudy fluid easily sen by ultrasound, or transilluminates with light (see below)

Varicocele – abnormal dilation of the veins; left sided ones occur in one out of six guys. Feel like a bag of worms. If on the right side, more concerning since may mean the interior vena cava vein is obstructed which often takes a tumour or blood clot.

Trauma – what were you doing down there, anyway?

Inguinal hernia – common in males, try feeling around while coughing. Normal bowel movements?

Scrotal edema – inflammation from worms or germs

Summary:

Pain – torsion, epididymitis, inguinal hernia, rapidly growing tumour

Painless – tumour, inguinal hernia, hydrocele, spermatocele, varicocele.

AN ultrasound will settle it, but is most likely one of the celes. Good luck.