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Is this testicular cancer or what?
My question is: when I was about 11 years old I had a hernia, and my right testicle was lodged up into my pelvic area. This was surgicaly repaired. But recently I have been worried because I have a mass in my sac. It doesnt seem to me connected to the testicle itself but it feels like alot of veins and kind of like a bag of worms. It gets larger when I do something stressful and have to strain. When I am lying down or I am relaxed or not doing something strenious it is not there at all. When the mass is present there is no pain at all. I was wondering if this could be one of the other many conditions that you have mentioned in this forum? As a result of the hernia, does that make me at a greater risk of testicular cancer? I dont have any of the symptoms of TC but this just worries me and I would like some info.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
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Dear Steve,
There are many medical conditions that can present as a mass in the scrotum. These include but are not limited to hernia, hydrocoele (an acummulation of fluid in the tissue layers that encircle the testicle), benign cyst, infection, varicoele, and the often feared testicular cancer. From your description of physical findings, it sounds like this mass may be a varicocoele.
A varicoele is a dilation of the pampiniform plexus, which is made up of the veins that drain the testicle. Approximately 16% of adolescent boys have a varicocoele, with the same figure found in the normal adult population. Varicocoeles often occur on one side, and usually on the left. Straining, lifting, or standing may enlarge a varicocoele and cause pain. Fertility can be afftected by a varicocoele due to the elevated intrascrotal temperature that results from pooling of warmer blood in the dilated veins. Sometimes, a left varicocoele can be a sign of kidney cancer . This is because the kidney tumor may extend into the left renal vein and block venous return from the left pampiniform plexus.
In regards to your childhood hernia, a hernia does not increase your risk of developing testicular cancer. However, a hernia can be found in association with an undescended testicle. If you have an undescended testicle, i.e., a testicle that does not descend down into the scrotum at birth or shortly after birth and in which case would require hormonal or surgical placement of the testes into the scrotum, there is an increased risk of developing testicular cancer later on in life. However, in the absence of a complete history and physical exam, I cannot provide a definitive diagnose for you.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-TP
*Keyword:varicocoele
There are many medical conditions that can present as a mass in the scrotum. These include but are not limited to hernia, hydrocoele (an acummulation of fluid in the tissue layers that encircle the testicle), benign cyst, infection, varicoele, and the often feared testicular cancer. From your description of physical findings, it sounds like this mass may be a varicocoele.
A varicoele is a dilation of the pampiniform plexus, which is made up of the veins that drain the testicle. Approximately 16% of adolescent boys have a varicocoele, with the same figure found in the normal adult population. Varicocoeles often occur on one side, and usually on the left. Straining, lifting, or standing may enlarge a varicocoele and cause pain. Fertility can be afftected by a varicocoele due to the elevated intrascrotal temperature that results from pooling of warmer blood in the dilated veins. Sometimes, a left varicocoele can be a sign of kidney cancer . This is because the kidney tumor may extend into the left renal vein and block venous return from the left pampiniform plexus.
In regards to your childhood hernia, a hernia does not increase your risk of developing testicular cancer. However, a hernia can be found in association with an undescended testicle. If you have an undescended testicle, i.e., a testicle that does not descend down into the scrotum at birth or shortly after birth and in which case would require hormonal or surgical placement of the testes into the scrotum, there is an increased risk of developing testicular cancer later on in life. However, in the absence of a complete history and physical exam, I cannot provide a definitive diagnose for you.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-TP
*Keyword:varicocoele
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