Testicular Swelling
What Testicular Swelling May Mean
There are a number of things that can cause or contribute to testicular swelling. Some of these are serious, some are not. Some require treatment, some do not. In general though, testicular swelling at a minimum is something to keep an eye on and seek medical advice if the condition is not short lived.
There are several things one should know about the testicles to understand why they may become swollen. First of all, if swelling is perceived it may or may not be the testicles that are swollen, but rather the sac or scrotum, within which the testicles are located. The testicles themselves are suspended from a cord called the spermatic cord. They are normally attached to the inner wall of the scrotum by the epididymis, an organ consisting of coiled tubes at the upper rear of the testicle, whose function is to store sperm, but also serves as a bridge between the testicles and the scrotum, preventing the spermatic cord and the testicles from easily being twisted. Testicular swelling may involve not only the testicles, but the scrotum, the spermatic cord, or the epididymis.
Testicular Cysts - Testicular swelling can sometimes result from the presence of testicular cysts, called spermatocele. These cysts appear on the upper portion of the epididymis, which itself is located at the upper rear of the testicles. These cysts are generally harmless and do not require treatment unless they grow to a size such that the scrotum enlarges or appears to be swollen.
Hydrocele, A Common Condition - Another cause of testicular swelling is called hydrocele, which is an accumulation of fluid between the membranes covering the testicles. The swelling is usually slow to develop and seldom causes pain or discomfort. If the swelling becomes severe enough or does not diminish after some time, the fluid can be drawn out through aspiration, which can be painful, or removed surgically. Hydrocele is more common among infants than among adults. Hydrocele is somewhat of a mystery in that it has never yet been determined what causes the scrotum to fill with fluid for no apparent reason.
Swollen Blood Vessels – Varicocele - Varicocele is yet another cause of testicular swelling. Here, the blood flow in the spermatic cord is being obstructed, though not completely, which would be a serious situation. The blood vessels in the scrotum sac become enlarged, appearing much like varicose veins, and the scrotum itself may exhibit swelling. Varicocele is a fairly common condition, and is not serious, although in some instances can it affect fertility, in which case surgical treatment is usually in order.
Testicular Cancer - Any infection affecting the testicles, the scrotum, or the epididymis, can cause testicular swelling as can testicular cancer, which fortunately is a somewhat rare cause of swelling. Still, anytime swelling occurs, and especially if hard lumps are felt on the testicles or within the scrotum sac, testing for a possible cancer should be conducted. Testicular cancer is more prevalent among younger men, in fact is the number one cancer among men in their 20's and early 30's. Periodic self-examination of the scrotum is the best preventive measure as the cancer if present and caught at an early stage, is almost always curable.
Summary - If you should have an incident of testicular swelling, it will more than likely be painless, it will more than likely be harmless, and the chances are you may not even be aware of it. Of course anything abnormal in the area of the testicles and scrotum can be a bit scary, and even if the situation is a relatively harmless one, a physician should be consulted if for no other reason than to gain peace of mind.