How can you tell the difference between a spermatocele and cancer?
How can you tell the difference between a spermatocele and cancer?
Ultrasound tests help providers distinguish spermatoceles from other types of scrotal masses (growths), such as testicular cancer.
What does it mean if I have a lump by my spermatic cord?
See your doctor if you notice any new lump in your scrotum. Spermatocele. Also known as a spermatic cyst or epididymal cyst, spermatocele is a typically painless, noncancerous (benign), fluid-filled sac in the scrotum, usually above the testicle. Epididymitis.
Can you get cancer on your spermatic cord?
Spermatic cord liposarcomas are the most common type of malignant tumors, and most patients present in their fifth or sixth decade of life.
Can spermatocele cause cancer?
Spermatocele masses are not cancerous, and do not increase your risk of testicular cancer, but they may be a nuisance.
How is spermatocele diagnosed?
Diagnosis
- Transillumination. Your doctor might shine a light through your scrotum. With a spermatocele, the light will indicate that the mass is fluid-filled rather than solid.
- Ultrasound. If transillumination doesn’t clearly indicate a cyst, an ultrasound can help determine what else it might be.
What does a spermatic cyst feel like?
They can be felt, however. A spermatocele feels like a smooth, but separate, firm lump. The lump is found near the top of, or behind, a testicle. Spermatoceles are most likely to be discovered during your yearly physical when your doctor checks for any signs of a testicular growth.
Are there lymph nodes in the spermatic cord?
Lymphatics Lymph of the spermatic cord can be divided into the superficial and the deep groups. The superficial group drains the surface of the tunica vaginalis, while the deep group drains the epididymis and testis.
Can you live with a spermatocele?
Although your spermatocele probably won’t go away on its own, most spermatoceles don’t need treatment. They generally don’t cause pain or complications. If yours is painful, your doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).
What causes a spermatocele to grow?
The cause of spermatoceles is unknown. Spermatoceles might result from a blockage in one of the multiple tubes within the epididymis that transport and store sperm from the testicle.
What does a spermatocele look like on ultrasound?
Ultrasound. At sonographic examination, spermatoceles are well-defined epididymal hypoechoic lesions usually measuring 1-2 cm and demonstrating posterior acoustic enhancement. They are usually irregular, with fine low-level internal echoes and sometimes septations.
How can you tell the difference between a spermatocele and a hydrocele?
History, examination, and ultrasonography can aid in the differentiation. Spermatoceles typically arise from the caput (head) of the epididymis, which is located on the superior aspect of the testicle. Conversely, hydroceles are fluid collections that cover the anterior and lateral surfaces the testicle.
How can you tell the difference between a cyst and a tumor on an ultrasound?
For example, most waves pass through a fluid-filled cyst and send back very few or faint echoes, which look black on the display screen. On the other hand, waves will bounce off a solid tumor, creating a pattern of echoes that the computer will interpret as a lighter-colored image.
How do I know if my groin lump is cancerous?
Cancerous lumps can be irregular in shape and may have a firm or solid feeling. However, since symptoms can vary among people and cancer cannot be diagnosed without a doctor, be sure to get it checked out if it does not go away in a week or two.
How do you get rid of a spermatic cyst?
Surgical therapy known as spermatocelectomy is the most common treatment for a symptomatic spermatocele. The aim is to remove the cyst from the epididymis while, at the same time, preserve the genital system. This surgery is done as an outpatient procedure. That means you won’t need to stay in a hospital overnight.
How do I test my spermatic cord?
Examine one testicle at a time. Start by gently gripping the top of the scrotum, with your thumb on top and your fingers underneath. Pinch gently so that the testicle stays put and won’t move during the exam. Between your fingers, you should feel the spermatic cord.
Can the spermatic cord swell?
Varicocele is a scrotal swelling caused by swollen veins (called the pampiniform plexus) in the spermatic cord (the cord attached to the testicle). Most of the time, varicoceles cause no problems and are harmless.
Should I worry about spermatocele?
Spermatoceles aren’t cancerous and are usually pain-free. Most people won’t need treatment. Instead, your doctor will monitor the cyst during regular doctor appointments. Spermatoceles may require medical attention if they grow too large or begin to cause pain.
How big is a spermatic cyst?
Our series of spermatocele cases suggest that among men who seek surgical intervention, their spermatoceles have grown to the size of a testicle, or roughly 4 centimeters in diameter.
How common are spermatic cysts?
Spermatoceles, sometimes called spermatic cysts, are common. They typically don’t reduce fertility or require treatment. If a spermatocele grows large enough to cause discomfort, your doctor might suggest surgery.
What is the most common tumor of the spermatic cord?
Lipoma is the most common benign tumor of the spermatic cord, and much more common than liposarcoma (45% of paratesticular masses) 3 . Other malignant tumors of the spermatic cord include leiomyosarcoma, histiocytoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma.
Can a mammogram show cysts in the breast?
With ultrasound guidance, a radiologist can place a needle in the cyst to drain it and the cyst will disappear. As with the others, this mammogram shows both normal fatty tissue (dark) and lighter areas of denser breast tissue.
What is the spermatic cord?
The spermatic cord is the tubular structure that suspends the testes and epididymis in the scrotum from the abdominal cavity.
What does fibrocystic breast tissue look like on a mammogram?
Fibrocystic Breast Tissue on a Mammogram. A fibroadenoma or cyst are benign breast masses that can appear in fibrocystic breast tissue. These can appear alone, or in groups, and are common on mammograms appearing as a dense mass. This mammogram shows thickened areas that are typical of fibrocystic changes.
