Testicle swelling or lump

Category: Men's Health · All men's health symptoms

What it can feel like

A testicle swelling or lump is any enlargement of the scrotum or lump felt in or around a testicle. Most scrotal swellings are benign fluid and vein problems outside the testicle itself; a lump that is part of the testicle and firm is the pattern that must exclude testicular cancer — a highly curable cancer when caught early.

Possible causes

A symptom can have many causes, and most are not serious. The lists below group conditions this symptom can be associated with — common causes first. They are possibilities to discuss with a clinician, not a diagnosis.

Common causes

Scrotal swelling can be associated with a hydrocele (fluid around the testicle), an epididymal cyst (a smooth lump separate from the testicle), a varicocele (enlarged veins), infection with swelling, and an inguinal hernia descending into the scrotum.

Other possible causes

A firm lump within the testicle itself can be testicular cancer — often painless, sometimes with a heavy dragging feeling — and any intratesticular lump is scanned urgently whatever its feel.

Red flags — when to seek help promptly

Any new lump felt within the testicle itself — prompt examination and urgent ultrasound
Scrotal swelling with sudden severe pain (possible torsion) — emergency
Swelling with fever, redness and pain (possible infection or abscess)
A scrotal swelling that cannot be pushed back and comes with vomiting (possible strangulated hernia) — emergency
Testicular lump with back pain, weight loss or breast tenderness

What a clinician may do

A clinician will examine the scrotum standing and lying, distinguishing lumps in the testicle from those around it. Ultrasound of the scrotum is the decisive test and is arranged urgently for intratesticular lumps, together with tumour-marker blood tests when cancer is in question.

Watch: related videos

Examination and clinical videos from the MedicalVideos.com library relevant to this symptom. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.

▶ WatchScrotal swelling examWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchInguino scrotal swellingWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchClinical surgery dr ali hassib clinical revision 2 inguinal hernia scrotal swelling abdomenWatch on MedicalVideos.com

Related guides on MedicalVideos.com

Frequently asked questions

How do I check my testicles?

After a warm shower, when the scrotum is relaxed: roll each testicle gently between thumb and fingers. You are learning your own normal — the soft tube (epididymis) at the back is meant to be there — so that new hard lumps stand out. Any new lump within the testicle gets checked promptly.

Can you get lumps that are not cancer checked too quickly?

No — the benign causes (cysts, fluid) are diagnosed by the same ultrasound, usually in one visit. Given that testicular cancer is the commonest cancer in younger men and among the most curable when early, a low threshold for scanning is deliberate policy.

Related symptoms — Men's Health

Blood in semen Breast swelling in men Discharge from the penis Early ejaculation Erectile problems Groin lump

Browse the T section of the A–Z list or return to the Symptoms A–Z hub.

Please note: This page is educational information about a symptom. A symptom alone cannot diagnose any condition, and the causes listed here are possibilities, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about a symptom — especially one that is new, severe, getting worse or not going away — please see your own clinician, who can examine you and arrange tests. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.