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What Causes Swollen Testicles?
Question: My husband is 65 years old. He has developed swelling in his left testicalar. He went to the Doctors today and the Doctor said that the testicalar appears to have a lot of fluid. He. Doesn't feel that it is testicalar cancer or a hernia. My husband is going for Ultra Sound on Wed, but I was wondering if you could give me some idea of what you might think it could be.
Thank you
XXXX
Thank you
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Details about nature of testis swellings given below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Regularly I have patients having problems like the one your husband has and do ultrasound scans to know the condition in detail.
In a 65 year old patient, ultrasound scan of testis is always indicated to know the exact diagnosis. It will help to know sine how long has the swelling been there and if he is experiencing pain.
At his age the primary concern is to rule out a testicular cancer or a large hernia with herniating bowel loops in to the scrotal sac. A hydrocele is also seen in many men. The following features will probably help to understand his condition until a scan is done and the diagnosis is confirmed. A cancer in most patients will not cause significant pain.
(i) A testicular swelling is usually form to hard to touch. This is a slow to rapid growing swelling which has peaked over few months. When the testis is palpated it feels hard on the testicular surface. There might also be groin lymph nodes.
(ii) Hernias might extend in to the scrotal sac. This feels like a soft sac with doughy feel. It can reduce on lying down position. This also appears over months to years and the swelling intensifies with coughing and might be painful at times.
(iii) The hydrocele is a collection of fluid in the area around the testis. This appears a soft to firm swelling like a balloon. It can take many years to form in chronic hydroceles. Acute presentation is less likely. When light from a torch is thrown on to a hydrocele in the dark then the hydrocele appears transluscent. Inflammatory hydroceles can be a little firm. The skin over hydrocele is stretched in appearance and usually painless
The above are the commonest findings in testis swellings. The ultrasound scan with confirm the cause of swelling in your husband.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Details about nature of testis swellings given below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Regularly I have patients having problems like the one your husband has and do ultrasound scans to know the condition in detail.
In a 65 year old patient, ultrasound scan of testis is always indicated to know the exact diagnosis. It will help to know sine how long has the swelling been there and if he is experiencing pain.
At his age the primary concern is to rule out a testicular cancer or a large hernia with herniating bowel loops in to the scrotal sac. A hydrocele is also seen in many men. The following features will probably help to understand his condition until a scan is done and the diagnosis is confirmed. A cancer in most patients will not cause significant pain.
(i) A testicular swelling is usually form to hard to touch. This is a slow to rapid growing swelling which has peaked over few months. When the testis is palpated it feels hard on the testicular surface. There might also be groin lymph nodes.
(ii) Hernias might extend in to the scrotal sac. This feels like a soft sac with doughy feel. It can reduce on lying down position. This also appears over months to years and the swelling intensifies with coughing and might be painful at times.
(iii) The hydrocele is a collection of fluid in the area around the testis. This appears a soft to firm swelling like a balloon. It can take many years to form in chronic hydroceles. Acute presentation is less likely. When light from a torch is thrown on to a hydrocele in the dark then the hydrocele appears transluscent. Inflammatory hydroceles can be a little firm. The skin over hydrocele is stretched in appearance and usually painless
The above are the commonest findings in testis swellings. The ultrasound scan with confirm the cause of swelling in your husband.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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