I, a 67 year old man, have a hard lump in the scrotum. It sits just under the sheet and seems a bit movable. It’s small, slightly bigger than the lump I once got from a sterilization. It does not hurt. Do you think this is something serious? I prefer not to go to the doctor, because he often visits the neighbors.
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
In principle, you should always show lumps and bumps to a doctor. I don’t see your objection about the neighbours: a doctor has a professional secrecy and will never discuss your problems with your neighbours. Loose bumps in the scrotum are almost always a cyst, or a cavity filled with fluid (then it’s called a hydrocele) or with sperm cells (then it’s called a spermatocele). These types of swellings are harmless and are only treated surgically if they are large and cause complaints.
Testicular cancer, which you may be afraid of, is in the ball or attached to it and is more common in younger than older men. In general, a bulge that is nicely round is less likely to be caused by something malicious than a tumor with an irregular shape. In that regard, the chance that you have something serious among the members seems very small. If the lump gets bigger, I would still have a doctor look at it just to be sure.
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