Scrotal problems

For many reasons, a problem in the scrotum may well cause the man a considerable degree of anxiety, and whilst the psychological consequences of a lump or a pain in the scrotum may well be considerable, the surgeon is likely to concentrate on the practical aspects, bearing in mind that pain is often not an indicator of a serious problem, and that most lumps turn out to be nothing more serious than a completely benign cyst - indeed, cancer in the testis is rather rare.

Obviously, if severe pain develops out of the blue, then immediate help should be sought, as there is a condition known as torsion of the testis that can result in death of the testis quite quickly if not treated appropriately, but this is not particularly common.

In all other cases, a lump or discomfort can be reported to your own doctor, who will decide whether a specialist opinion is appropriate.

Ultrasound can often be a helpful test to determine whether there is a problem or not, and your own doctor can request this test. Bearing in mind that the only way to remove a lump in the scrotum is surgery, and that surgery to the scrotum can result in significant post operative problems, you may well be advised that leaving the problem alone may be the best approach, but this is a decision that should be taken by someone experienced in this sort of problem, so please do not hesitate to seek advice.