mass in left testicle

i have a mass attached to the left testicle. rarely painful, but sometimes it becomes inflamed (swells) and is painful.   what do you think it is . it seems to run up into the abdom.???

[Ketan K Badani]

There are many potential causes of a mass in the scrotum.  If the mass is within your testicle itself it can be a sign of tumor.  The epididymis is a gland that surrounds your testicle to transport sperm and this gland can have enlargement due to infection or inflammation along with the testicle (orchitis or epididymitis).  There are also benign lesions that can develop in the scrotum that are usually distinct from the testis itself.  In addition, you can have a hernia that is causing your symptoms.  The blood supply to the testicles run in a canal from the abdomen to the scrotum and this also where you can have a hernia.  I would suggest you have a doctor examine you as some of these reasons are very important to treat early.