5 Things You Need to Know About Testicular Lumps

1. It Doesn't Always Have to Hurt

The next time you go in for a physical exam with your family physician, make sure you get your genitals checked. A testicular lump that does not hurt may be the first signal of a cancer. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting men aged between 15 and 49. But it could also be due to fluid blockage within the spermatic cord in older men. Even a widening of veins in the spermatic cord can lead to bumps and lumps in the scrotum.

2. Testicular Lumps Can Hurt

Any injury to your testicals can indeed hurt. Conditions such as epididymitis, mumps and infection such as orchitis can result in painful testicular lumps. There could also be a mass of fluid and dead sperm during spermatocoele. Pay a visit to a doctor as soon as you notice any of these signs and symptoms.

3. Timing is Everything

How long ago did you notice the lump? Did you check for any changes in size or shape of the testicle? Any history of previous lumps? You need to remember if you sustained an injury to a specific area of the testicle, and any symptoms such as swelling or abdominal pain. The physician may also ask if you had any lumps elsewhere or underwent surgery before on your testicles.

4. So, What's Next?

Well, if your lump is caused by orchitis or epididymitis, you should take the specific antibiotics that your doctor alone can prescribe. If mumps are the reason, you are in for another course of prescription medications. If you are diagnosed with a painful condition called torsion, surgery can correct this emergency. Medications and surgery are also the answer to lumps due to spermatocele, hydrocele or varicocele as well as bowel-related ailment called hernia. However, for testicular cancer, you are looking at radiation and chemotherapy.

5. Prevention is Simple, Yet Effective

If you or your friend ever had a family history of testicular cancer or a history of testicular tumors, self-examination is the key. Once a month should be fine. Early detection of any testicular lump should lead to a prompt visit to your health provider for successful management. Ignoring a possible genital tumor could increase the risk of finding blood clots elsewhere in the body, with deadly consequences. In fact, there have been cases of men developing breasts (gynecomastia), later traced to testicular tumors.

Follow the technique reported in the Nursing Standard of January 2000: You need to be familiar with the normal weight, texture and consistency of your testicles; when you are in the shower or bath or afterwards, check your testes by rolling each one of them between your thumb and forefinger for a smooth contour. Also become familiar the structure called epididymis that runs behind the testis. It is not a new growth. Let the doctor know if you notice anything unusual. Testicular cancer has excellent cure rates, ranging between 80 and 90 percent if detected early.