What's the next course of action - Cysts on Scrotum

[FightingKnight]

I have a many, many white bumps on my scrotum, including about 2 or 3 real large ones that just do not go away.  I've been checked out, and apparently they are cysts.  They look atrocious - imagine trying to explain to your partner that they are not from an STD (I am squeaky clean).  It's really impacted my social life in a very negative way.

Insurance will not cover having these removed because it's "cosmetic".   So how do I safely get rid of these?  Even if I did pony up the money to get rid of them, the last few doctors I've seen, somehow didn't know where to send me on a referral.

Please help!

[Dr Santos]

Hi Matt,

In this case, you should see a urogenital surgeon for evaluation. Some lumps mostly fade away by themselves, and are not dangerous. However, some become infected. You can ask your specialist to have the lumps removed, especially when these are interfering with your daily activities. Take care and do keep us posted.

[FightingKnight]

If it's already been diagnosed as a series of sebaceous cysts...what type of doctor do I go to?  The dermatologist's office that diagnosed this said that they did not have the capability to perform that operation where I was at.  Is it a different dermatologist or is it a surgeon of some kind?  

Thanks,

Matt

[Dr Santos]

Hi,

A variety of masses can occur in the scrotum such as  sebaceous or epidermal cyst, hydrocele,  hematocele,  spermatocele or testicular tumor. A sebaceous cyst is a collection of sloughed material from the skin surface. These cysts are usually clearly within the wall of the scrotum rather than inside the scrotum. This may be uncomfortable or become infected. On the other hand, a hydrocele is a collection of fluid around the testicle. A hematocele is a collection of blood around the testicle while  a spermatocele is an outpouching of tissue from the epididymis. Testicular tumors are another kind of scrotal mass. Testicular cancer is mainly a disease of young men, but it can occur in any age, even in children.

Epidermal cysts, hydroceles, and spermatoceles can be removed with a simple operation on the scrotum. Treatment of hematoceles depends on the underlying cause and the person's symptoms. Varicoceles can be treated with surgery or other procedures to tie off the veins. Removal of the testicle, or a radical orchiectomy, is the treatment for a testicular tumor. It would be best to have this evaluated further by a urogenital specialist and to bring your partner with you during consult.

Take care and regards.