1. Play the Waiting Game
While you should always tell your doctor about any suspicious growths you notice on or around your testes, a wait-and-see approach is often taken if the cyst does not appear to be cancerous or pre-cancerous. Many testicular cysts result from a medical phenomenon known as spermatoceles, in which an incidental mass traps sperm into the cyst fluid and causes an external growth on the surface of the skin. Doctors aren't sure what causes spermatoceles to form, but they are generally considered benign so long as no complications develop.
Remember, however, that not all testicular cysts are spermatoceles. You may have an inflammatory condition such as torsion, orchitis or epididymitis. You'll can differentiate these from spermatoceles because they're painful and tender while spermatoceles are generally painless.
2. Know When to Act
Your doctor will perform an ultrasound or biopsy on any suspicious testicular cyst to determine whether it poses a health risk. If it doesn't, you'll probably be advised to leave it alone, unless it starts to grow or becomes painful and swollen. However, if the appearance of the cyst bothers you, elective surgery can remove it.
3. Consider Surgical Intervention
Surgically removing the growths is the primary treatment for testicular cysts. The nature of the surgery will vary, depending on the cause of your cyst, its size and location. These operations are usually performed under a local anesthetic, on an outpatient basis. Common side effects of the procedure include pain and swelling in the treated area. These side effects can be managed with anti-inflammatory drugs and over-the-counter or prescription painkillers.
