Scrotal swellings or masses are areas of fluid or solid material in, on or around the testicles. It can be benign or malignant. The testicles are located in loose bag of skin underneath the penis, which keeps at a temperature lower than the abdominal cavity. The low temperature is needed for adequate sperm production.

Most men discover scrotal masses themselves, either unintentionally or while doing a testicular self-examination to check for lumps.

Scrotal masses have various causes, including cysts, infection, inflammation, trauma, inguinal hernia and tumors. The tumors may be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

Symptoms

• Lump or swelling in the scrotum.
• Pain or tenderness in the scrotum.

Causes of scrotal masses

• Epididymitis.
• Spermatic cyst or spermatocele.
• Hydrocele.
• Hematocele.
• Varicocele.
• Orchitis.
• Inguinal hernia.
• Testicular cancer.

Tests and diagnosis

• Physical examaintion.
• Testicular ultrasound.
• CT scan.

Treatment of scrotal swellings

Treating the cause. Most scrotal masses require minimally invasive treatment or no treatment at all, but some require more serious procedures.

• Epididymitis: It is treated with antibiotics.
• Spermatocele: They usually are small, does not cause any symptom. If they are large they require surgical excision.
• Hydrocele: Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.
• Hematocele: Surgical drainage is necessary if it sis infected.
• Varicocele: Surgical tying off the Varicocele is recommended.
• Orchitis: It is treated with antibiotics.
• Testicular cancer: It is treated with orchiectomy (surgical removal of one or both testicles), radiation therapy, chemotherapy.