Lump On The Testicle: Is It Testicular Cancer Or Something Else?

Have you noticed a suspicious lump on one of your testicles, or on both? Have your testicles changed in size, shape, or structure? First off — kudos to you for being observant enough to have noticed the changes! Though any man who has just notice something strange about his testicles will be worried about testicular cancer, a surprisingly large number of different conditions will cause changes to the testicles. 

Could you have testicular cancer, or is it something else? How do you tell the difference? 

Testicular Cancer Facts

At first glance, testicular cancer statistics are frightening. Testicular cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in men aged between 15 and 35. More men in this age range will succumb to testicular cancer than women of the same ages will die of breast cancer, and the rate of testicular cancer is still on the rise. In fact, in the United States, one man is diagnosed with this cancer every single hour. 

Worrying, isn't it? The figures aren't all grim, however — one in 270 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer over the course of their lifetime, but treatment is so successful that only approximately one in 5,000 men will die from the cancer. When it is detected early, a whopping 95 percent of all patients are still alive after five years.

How Do You Perform Testicular Self-Exams?

A lump on one of the testicles is the very first symptom of testicular cancer in most cases. You can help identify such lumps by deciding to perform monthly self-exams on your testicles, ensuring that you become intimately familiar with the normal condition of your testicles and allowing you to seek medical assistance as soon as you notice changes. 

You can most successfully examine your testicles while you are having a shower or right afterwards, so that your scrotum is relaxed during the exam. First, hold your penis out of the way. Hold each individual testicle between your thumb and other fingers, systematically checking the whole testicle by rolling it around and looking for lumps. Also note any changes in the size, consistency, and shape of your testicles. 

Men who first start performing testicular self-exams my notice veins as well as the epididymis, a small tube that plays a role in the storage and maturation of sperm, that they hadn't taken note of before. In addition, every man should know that it is completely normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other, and that both testicles don't quite sit at the same height. In time, however, men who perform regular self-checks will become acquainted with their own testicles to the point that they know what is and isn't normal for them. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Testicular Cancer?

A lump on the testicle is the very first symptom of testicular cancer in most cases. These lumps can be so small that they would easily be missed if you were not looking for them, but they can also grow so large that they are easily spotted. The testicle can become slightly swollen and may feel heavier than before in men with testicular cancer.

Another thing to watch out for is breast growth, or sore feelings under or near the nipple. Not all men with testicular cancer will experience this, however, some tumors release hormones that induce breast growth, either human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG — the same hormone detected by pregnancy tests), or estrogen. In that latter case, loss of libido can be another symptom. Some tumors also emit androgens, male hormones. These will not cause additional symptoms in post-pubescent men, however young boys with this type of tumor can display early signs of puberty. 

If testicular cancer was not detected early, and has progressed to other parts of the body, some men will experience additional symptoms. Those can include shortness of breath, a persistent cough that may include blood, and chest pain. Abdominal pain, lower back pain, and even headaches are other possible symptoms of testicular cancer that has spread. 

Other Causes Of Testicular Lumps And Swelling

Research suggests that approximately four percent of all testicular lumps or masses end up being testicular cancer. Therefore, while it is incredibly important that you report any lump, mass, or other change in your testicles to your doctor without delay, you should also be aware that a lump alone does not necessarily indicate cancer at all. Many other causes of testicular lumps and masses will still require medical attention — and some especially urgently — but others are completely benign and may not require any kind of treatment. 

Infections Of The Testicles

Epididymitis, the single most frequent cause of sudden testicular pain, is an inflammation of the epididymis, a coil-shaped structure that plays an important role in storing and maturing sperm cells. It can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, including frequently sexually transmitted diseases. Since the epididymis is located near the back of each testicle, that is where you will find a lump or swelling if you have epididymitis. You may also experience pain, especially when urinating or ejaculating, fever, and a milk-colored discharge from the penis.

Orchitis is testicular inflammation that is also usually caused by infections, either bacterial or viral, and that may affect one or both testicles. It may strike at the same time as epididymitis, or independently of it. Tell-tale symptoms are swelling within the scrotum, pain, discharge from the penis, fever (which is a sign of infections in general), and also blood in your semen. Before immunization against the mumps virus became the norm, as many as one in five adult men who got the virus ended up with orchitis. Now, it is more frequently caused by STDs.

Varicocele

A varicocele is, simply said, a varicose vein of the scrotum. Such veins become enlarged and may twist. Varicoceles aren't usually outright painful, but they will typically produce some feeling of discomfort or heaviness. Varicoceles almost always develop gradually, but if you are older and suddenly develop one, it can be a sign you could have a kidney tumor. Most varicoceles do not require treatment, but surgery is available. 

Hydroceles, Spermatoceles And Hematoceles

When fluid builds up around the testicles inside the scrotal sac, this is called a hydrocele. Caused by a great variety of underlying reasons, most hydroceles do not require treatment unless they become so large that they cause discomfort or you really don't like the way it looks. Do be aware that having a hydrocele drained doesn't mean you'll be rid of it permanently — they frequently come back.

A spermatocele is a cyst within the epididymis that manifests as a small lump not attached to the testicle. Along with this lump, you may have a heavy or uncomfortable feeling in the testicle. It is similar to a hydrocele, with the difference that the sac is filled with sperm cells. Again usually harmless, it can be treated if it results in pain. 

A hematocele is a blood-filled sac that results from injury, often a direct blow to the scrotum. This may get better on its own, but sometimes treatment is necessary to stop further bleeding.

Testicular Torsion

Testicular torsion is a serious medical condition in which one of your testicles becomes twisted inside your scrotum, thereby cutting off blood supply to important parts of the reproductive system. This is as painful as it sounds! Along with excruciating pain, your scrotum will swell and you may suffer from nausea and vomiting and feel like fainting. There will be a lump, yes, but that's not the first thing you will notice. 

It is extremely, extremely important to seek emergency medical treatment for testicular torsion, which you'll do naturally because you'll be in enough pain to call an ambulance.

Inguinal Hernia

Defective muscles in the abdominal wall can lead to a hole through which other organs, usually a portion of the small intestine, enter the scrotal cavity. This is called an inguinal hernia, and will manifest as a lumpy mass, that wasn't present before, within the scrotum. A hernia will usually be more noticeable if you stand up or cough, and it may cause some pain. If it gets strangulated, meaning the structure that shouldn't be in the scrotum gets its blood supply cut off, you'll be in severe pain and risk permanent damage. It is better to get a hernia corrected before it gets to that stage!