Treatment

Most scrotal masses require minimally invasive or no treatment, but some require medicine or more-serious procedures.

Infections

Scrotal masses caused by a bacterial infection, as is usually the case with epididymitis, are treated with antibiotics. Viral infections causing epididymitis or orchitis are usually treated with rest, ice and pain relief medication.

Noncancerous (benign) scrotal masses

Benign scrotal masses might be left untreated or surgically removed, repaired, or drained. These treatment decisions depend on factors such as whether the scrotal mass:

• Causes discomfort or pain
• Contributes to or increases the risk of infertility
• Becomes infected

Testicular cancer

A specialist in cancer treatment (oncologist) will recommend treatments based on whether the cancer is isolated to a testicle or has spread to other tissues in the body. Your age and overall health also are factors in choosing treatment options for testicular cancer.

• Radical inguinal orchiectomy. This is the primary treatment for testicular cancer. It's a surgical procedure to remove the affected testicle and spermatic cord through an incision in the groin. Lymph nodes in your abdomen also might be removed if the cancer has spread to them.
• Chemotherapy. This is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill cancer cells.

In some cases radiation therapy also may be used. This type of therapy uses high-dose X-rays or other high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells that may remain after removal of the affected testicle.

Most cases of testicular cancer can be cured, but follow-up care is necessary to watch for possible recurrences.