Diagnosis

Your doctor will rely on a number of factors to diagnose a scrotal mass. These may include:

• A physical exam. Your doctor will feel your scrotum, its contents and nearby areas of the groin while you're standing and lying down.
• Transillumination. Shining a bright light through the scrotum might provide information about the size, location and makeup of a scrotal mass.
• Ultrasound. Using sound waves to create an image of internal organs, this test can provide detailed information about the size, location and makeup of a scrotal mass, as well as the condition of the testicles. An ultrasound usually is necessary to diagnose a scrotal mass.
• Urine test. Laboratory tests of a sample of urine might detect a bacterial or viral infection or the presence of blood or pus in the urine.
• Blood test. Laboratory tests of a blood sample might detect a bacterial or viral infection or elevated levels of certain proteins that are associated with testicular cancer.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan. If other tests indicate testicular cancer, you'll likely undergo a specialized X-ray exam (CT scan) of your chest, abdomen and groin to see if cancer has spread to other tissues or organs.