Testicular swelling without pain – causes, treatment and prevention

Testicular swelling without pain

Swelling of the testicles is always a symptom of an underlying disease and cannot be considered a disease in its own right. Testicular swelling without pain is far less common than testicular swelling with pain. Painless enlargement of the testicles is often a warning sign of possible testicular cancer. However, there are also harmless causes. However, a doctor should always be consulted.

What is testicular swelling without pain?

Swelling of the testicles results from a buildup of fluid in the testicles or epididymis . One testicle or both testicles can be affected. The causes of testicular swelling are varied. In the majority of cases, the swelling of the testicles is accompanied by pain. Swelling of the testicles without pain is less common. However, painless enlargement of the testicles does not mean that this symptom is harmless. On the contrary, it is often a warning sign of possible cancer of the testicles.

Of course, there are also harmless causes of painless testicular enlargement such as hydrocele (water breakage), testicular cysts or benign testicular tumors. Although malignant testicular tumors are very rare, they are the most common type of malignant tumor in young men between the ages of 20 and 40. In Germany, around 10 out of 100,000 young men develop testicular cancer every year. Even if it is a malignant tumor, testicular cancer can be treated very well. With early therapy, almost 100 percent recovery is possible. Even if treatment starts later, the prognosis is still exceptionally good.

causes

In addition to malignant testicular tumors, the causes of testicular swelling without pain can also be benign tumors, water hernias (hydroceles), testicular cysts, varicose veins in the testicles or inguinal hernias. In testicular tumors, the testicles enlarge due to the increase in tissue. In the other cases, water retention is the cause of the swelling. Hydroceles can occur as a result of previous testicular torsion (testicle twisting) or on their own. They often arise shortly after birth .

During this time, the testicles migrate from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum. The small gap in the peritoneum necessary for this usually closes after the end of the first year of life. If this is not the case, water can collect in this gap space. However, the swelling usually goes away on its own. However, if the gap is still not closed, a hernia may develop. A hydrocele can also develop as a result of testicular inflammation, epididymitis, or trauma to the testicles.

Testicular cancer affects the germ tissue in over 95 percent of cases. The remaining 5 percent are tumors of the supporting and connective tissue. The germ cell tumors can in turn be divided into so-called seminomas and non-seminomas. In the case of seminomas, the primordial sperm cells degenerate. Non-seminomas are in turn divided into yolk sac tumors, choriocarcinomas, embryonic carcinomas or undifferentiated teratomas. Both seminoma and non-seminoma occur about equally often.

Diseases

When to the doctor?

Painless swelling of the testicles always requires a medical examination, since disproportionate pressure conditions in the scrotum indicate a serious underlying condition. Testicular swelling without pain is a warning sign of testicular cancer and must be clarified as soon as possible.

The urologist should also be consulted if the swelling is accompanied by redness or hardening or if there is an accompanying uncomfortable feeling of pressure in the area of ​​the scrotum. If the testicular swelling occurs suddenly, there is a risk of testicular torsion, which leads to the death of the testicle after just a few hours. A medical evaluation is advisable if the affected testicle is in an unusual position or if there is an accompanying stabbing pressure.

Painless swelling of both testicles indicates a serious underlying condition and requires rapid clarification by the urologist. The same is true if the swelling is due to a cyst or contusion of the testicle. Going to the urologist is almost always recommended for testicular swelling without pain. Only if the cause is known or the swelling is already decreasing again can you refrain from visiting a doctor, as long as there are no accompanying symptoms.

diagnosis and course

Testicular swelling without pain can occur on its own or be accompanied by other symptoms. The occurrence of accompanying symptoms often already indicates the possible underlying disease. If the testicles swell quickly, it is usually due to water accumulation, which occurs with hydroceles, among other things. First, the testicles swell on one or both sides without causing any pain. However, if the hydrocele becomes very large, it can lead to feelings of pressure and tension.

Testicular cysts often cause no symptoms at all. Even the slight swelling of the testicles often goes undetected. In the majority of cases, the testicular cyst or epididymal cyst is an incidental finding. With testicular cancer the situation is different. In this case, even a layman can see the enlargement of the testicles. Palpable nodules form within the testicles. Usually only one testicle enlarges at first. Sometimes testicular enlargement of both testicles is also observed. A feeling of heaviness follows. Later, however, pulling pains also appear in the groin area .

Water builds up around the testicles, which leads to additional testicular swelling. In addition, there is a decrease in sexual desire, a possible enlargement of the mammary glands on one or both sides ( gynaecomastia ) and even pain in the mammary glands on one or both sides. Other symptoms may develop after eventual metastases have occurred. These include back pain and respiratory problems.

complications

In the case of testicular swelling without pain, most men experience severe emotional and mental problems. Fear and concerns about the cause preoccupy those affected. In severe cases, panic attacks occur. Testicular swelling without pain often leads to impaired sexual activity. Erectile dysfunction is possible. These trigger partnership problems and conflicts. The testicular swelling can occur due to inflammation or infection. Sexually transmitted diseases or viral and bacterial causes are possible. There is a risk of infection for the partner through the sexual act or other members of the household, for example when using the same toilet.

The symptoms can increase over time and lead to pain later on. There is a risk of suffering from cancer or hormonal diseases. If cancer is present, surgical intervention or other treatment measures are required, which are associated with numerous side effects. If there is a disruption in the hormonal balance, preparations are administered to alleviate the current symptoms. At the same time, however, other side effects often occur that cause a change in sexual behavior. The swelling of the testicles causes problems with locomotion. An unpleasant body feeling sets in and triggers mood swings or irritability. Shame in front of other people or withdrawal behavior are possible.

treatment and therapy

In the case of testicular swelling without pain, a doctor must always be consulted in order to rule out or diagnose possible serious diseases. Because even with serious diseases such as testicular cancer, the chances of recovery are very good if treatment is carried out in good time. If the swelling of the testicles occurs at the same time as hard knotty hardening, the doctor will suspect testicular carcinoma.

Ultrasound scans can visualize the tumors. Blood tests identify so-called tumor markers, which indicate certain forms of cancer . This is important because seminomas need to be treated differently than non-seminomas. The treatment of testicular swelling without pain depends on the underlying disease. Testicular cysts often do not require any treatment at all, especially since they are often only an incidental finding. They are mostly harmless and do not affect the quality of life.

Hydroceles usually regress spontaneously. In cases where this is not the case, surgery can also be performed. The treatment of varices (varicose veins) in the testicles also depends on the symptoms they are causing. Sometimes a surgical solution is also necessary here. Of course, testicular cancer always requires treatment. The prognosis is very good, even if both testicles are affected. Irrespective of the form of the cancer, an operation is always carried out first, whereby the affected testicle or even both must be removed. Radiation therapy can be used for seminoma. However, non-seminomas do not respond to this and must always be treated with chemotherapy in the advanced stage.

outlook and prognosis

Swelling of the testicles without pain can indicate many different diseases and ailments. However, if this does not go away on its own, a doctor must be consulted. This can be a serious illness or cancer that needs to be evaluated and treated. In most cases, testicular swelling without pain does not lead to a positive course of the disease if no treatment is initiated. Those affected can also suffer from inflammation or circulatory disorders.

These do not primarily affect the function of the testicles, but if left untreated they can lead to other complications or impotence . For this reason, treatment of testicular swelling without pain is necessary. In the case of a tumor, no general course of the disease can be predicted. The further prognosis depends very much on the severity of the tumor and the general state of health of the patient. It is possible that the life expectancy of the person affected is negatively influenced by the testicular swelling without pain.

prevention

Since one of the main causes of testicular cancer and testicular swelling is undescended testicles in infancy, this must always be treated immediately. If timely treatment is missed, there is a risk of testicular carcinoma as well as a risk of fertility disorders in later age.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *