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| Testicular problems | |
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Two problems in particular are worth mentioning here. Torsion of the testis can occur at any age, but happens mostly in teenagers between 13 and 16, and is when one testicle twists within the scrotum, kinking its own blood supply in the process. If it doesn't untwist fairly quickly, it results in quite severe pain - as though you've been kicked, but you know you haven't - as the testis starts to suffer from the lack of blood supply. You would probably want to call the doctor fairly urgently anyway because of the pain, especially if it has been sore for a couple of hours and is not easing. If the doctor confirms the diagnosis, you will be sent into hospital, where an operation will be performed to save the testicle and fix it in place to stop it twisting again. Often, the unaffected testicle is fixed at the same time to prevent it twisting in the future. Very rarely, if the testicle has suffered too much damage, it will need to be removed completely - but the surgeon will implant a prosthetic (artificial) one, so you will still have a matching pair! The other worrying testicular condition is cancer of the testis. This can occur at any age, but usually in the 15 to 40 age group. It presents with a lump or irregularity on the testicle itself, and often there is no pain or discomfort, and the lump is found by accident. It is for this reason that it is important to examine the testicles regularly, say once a month, to check for any abnormality. Once you get into the habit of doing this you will know what "normal" feels like and will easily spot anything unusual. If you do find something, then see your doctor within a few days to have it checked out. Testicular cancer can be cured if caught early, but if it has spread then the outlook is significantly worse. Fifty percent of patients consult their doctors after the cancer has spread, when it is more difficult to treat. Treatment involves removing the affected testicle. If the cancer has spread, a course of chemotherapy (drug treatment) will be needed. The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it is, so if you feel anything abnormal, the message is DON'T DELAY! Often lumps in the scrotum are not actually on the testicles themselves, and are in the epididymis, which is a coiled tube lying behind the testicle, where the sperm mature as they move along it. It is quite common to find cysts developing in the epididymis, which can be tender, but which either settle spontaneously, or occasionally with a course of antibiotics. If in doubt, see the doctor. |
