Swollen testicles

Swollen testicles

[Information on further testicle problems will be added to this section shortly]

"One of my balls is swollen - I think it must be cancer"

It is a good idea to examine your testicles regularly, so that you become familiar with your own anatomy. Then you will be able to notice if anything unusual develops.

The testicles make sperm. They are oval in shape, and are usually about 4-5 cm long, 3 cm wide and 2 cm thick. One is often slightly larger than the other.
The epididymis is a sausage-shaped lump stuck onto the back and top of each testicle. It is actually a coil of tiny tubes, which carry and store the sperm. If uncoiled, they would be about 6 metres long.
The spermatic cords lead upwards from behind the epididymis. They carry the sperm towards the penis, and also contain blood vessels.
The scrotum is the skin sac that contains the testicles and the epididymis.

Cancer is a possibility with any lump in the scrotum, and it is important to detect it early because the cure rate is now over 90%. However, most swellings in the scrotum turn out to be non-cancerous. For example, it is common to have small lumps and cysts in the epididymis and in the spermatic cord. Another common occurrence is for the veins in the cord to become lumpy and twisted, and feel like a 'bag of worms'.

It is important that all lumps in the scrotum are examined by a doctor, so even if you think the swelling is not cancerous have it checked anyway. If your doctor is not sure, he will arrange for you to have an ultrasound scan, which is painless.

How to examine your testicles

The best time is after a warm bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed.
Support the scrotum and testicles in the palm of your hand, to feel their weight. One testicle may be slightly larger than the other, but they should be about the same weight.
Hold a testicle between the thumb and fingers, with your thumb on top and first and second fingers underneath. Roll the testicle gently, feeling for any hard lumps. A normal testicle is oval in shape; it feels firm but not hard and is smooth with no lumps. Cancerous lumps are usually hard, on the front or side of a testicle, or may be a swelling of the testicle itself.
Feel the epididymis, a sausage-shaped lump at the top and back of each testicle. It will feel soft and perhaps slightly tender.
Feel the spermatic cords which lead upwards from the epididymis and behind the testicles. They are firm, smooth tubes.
Do the same with the other testicle. It would be very unusual to develop cancer in both testicles at the same time, so if you are not sure whether what you are feeling is normal, check it against the other side.