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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffMost scrotal masses require minimally invasive treatment or no treatment at all, but some require more-serious procedures.
Infections
Scrotal masses caused by a bacterial infection, as is usually the case with epididymitis, is treated with antibiotics. Viral infections causing epididymitis or orchitis are usually treated with rest and pain relief medication.
Noncancerous (benign) scrotal masses
Benign scrotal masses may be left untreated or surgically removed, repaired or drained. These treatment decisions depend on such factors as whether the scrotal mass:
- Causes discomfort or pain
- Contributes to infertility
- Increases the risk of infertility
- Becomes infected
Testicular cancer
A specialist in cancer treatment (oncologist) will recommend treatments based on whether the cancer is isolated to a testicle or has spread to other tissues in the body. Your age and overall health also are factors in choosing treatment options for testicular cancer.
- Radical inguinal orchiectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the affected testicle and spermatic cord through an incision in the groin. This procedure is the primary treatment for testicular cancer. If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes in your abdomen, they also may be removed (lymph node dissection).
- Radiation therapy uses high-dose X-rays or other high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells that may remain after removal of the affected testicle.
- Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill cancer cells.
Most cases of testicular cancer can be cured, but close follow-up care is necessary to watch for possible recurring cancer.
- Orchitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec17/ch239/ch239e.html. Accessed May 22, 2009.
- Epididymitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec17/ch239/ch239d.html. Accessed May 22, 2009.
- Testicular cancer. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec17/ch241/ch241h.html. Accessed May 22, 2009.
- Haynes JH. Inguinal and scrotal disorders. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2006;86:371.
- Junnila J, et al. Testicular masses. American Family Physician. 1998;57:685.
- Shaw J. Diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer. American Family Physician. 2008;7:469.
- Brenner JS, et al. Causes of painless scrotal swelling in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 28, 2009.
- Galejs LE. Diagnosis and treatment of the acute scrotum. American Family Physician. 1999;59:817.
- Elder J. Disorders and anomalies of the scrotal contents. In: Kliegman R, et al., eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders/Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/142753628-2/0/1608/1246.html?tocnode=54484554&fromURL=1246.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50547-8_9817. Accessed May 20, 2009.
- Cole FL, et al. The acute, nontraumatic scrotum: Assessment, diagnosis, and management. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 2004;16:50.
- Marcozzi D, et al. The nontraumatic, acute scrotum. Emergency Medical Clinics of North America. 2001;19:547.
- Testicular cancer: Questions and answers. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/sites-types/testicular. Accessed May 25, 2009.
- Cooper C, et al. Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 22, 2009.
- Barthold JS, et al. The epidemiology of congenital cryptorchidism, testicular ascent and orchiopexy. Journal of Urology. 2003;170:2396.
- Eyre RC. Evaluation of the acute scrotum in adult men. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 28, 2009.
- Information from your family doctor. Testicular cancer. American Family Physician. 2004;69:613.
