If you’re a man, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of scrotal masses but aren’t sure what they are. This blog post is designed to answer all of your questions about these lumps and bumps that can occur in the scrotum. In this blog post, we will discuss what men need to know about scrotal masses.
First things first, the scrotum is the sac of skin that contains the testicles. The testicles are two oval-shaped organs that produce sperm and testosterone. The scrotum helps to keep the testicles at a temperature that is slightly cooler than body temperature, which is necessary for sperm production.
What are scrotal masses?
Scrotal masses are lumps or bumps that can occur in the scrotum. These masses can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Scrotal masses are usually not painful, but they can cause discomfort or pain if they grow large enough to press on other structures in the scrotum.
There are several different types of scrotal masses, including:
- Epididymal cysts: These are benign, fluid-filled sacs that develop on the epididymis (the coiled tube that stores and transports sperm). Epididymal cysts, also known as spermatoceles, usually don’t cause any symptoms and don’t require treatment.
- Hydroceles: These are benign, fluid-filled sacs that can develop around the testicles. Hydroceles can be caused by an injury or surgery to the scrotum.
- Varicoceles: These are dilated (enlarged) veins in the scrotum that can cause pain or discomfort. They often form on the left side of the scrotum and can affect fertility. Varicoceles are more common in men who have a family history of the condition. Varicoceles can be treated with surgery.
- Testicular tumors: These are the most serious type of scrotal mass. Testicular tumors can be benign or malignant (cancerous). Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in young men. Testicular cancer is usually treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Symptoms of a Scrotal Mass
In addition to a lump or bump in the scrotum, scrotal masses can also cause the following symptoms:
- pain in the lower back, abdomen, or groin
- heaviness or dull ache in the scrotum
- vomiting or nausea
- swelling in the area
- redness in the scrotum
- swollen, tender, or hard testicles
- blood or pus in the urine
- frequent urination
- fever
How are scrotal masses diagnosed and treated?
If you have any concerns about a scrotal mass, it’s important to see a doctor. A doctor can perform a physical examination and order tests to determine the cause of the mass. They will likely do a blood test and they may do an ultrasound to rule out certain conditions.
In many cases, scrotal masses are benign and don’t require treatment. However, it’s important to have any mass checked out by a doctor to rule out the possibility of testicular cancer. In other cases, treatment will depend on the cause of the mass and can include: antibiotics, medications, surgery, or testicular removal.
In Conclusion
In this blog post, we have discussed everything men need to know about scrotal masses. Scrotal masses are lumps or bumps that can occur in the scrotum and can be benign or malignant. They often don’t cause any symptoms but can cause discomfort or pain if they grow large enough to press on other structures in the scrotum. If you have a scrotal mass, it’s important to see a doctor to determine the exact cause of the mass and whether treatment is needed.
We hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.
