What is hydrocele and spermatocele?
Spermatoceles and hydroceles are both benign conditions that are found around the testicular region, but they arise from different origins. Spermatoceles are cysts that form in the tubules leading to the testis. Hydroceles are collections of clear fluid that form between the layers of tissue surrounding the testicles.
Can a spermatocele be cancerous?
No. Spermatoceles are benign cysts, which means they are not cancer. There is no evidence to suggest a spermatocele could turn into cancer. Having a spermatocele does not increase your testicular cancer risk.
Is a spermatocele the same as a hydrocele?
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.
Should I be worried if I have a spermatocele?
Male reproductive system
The penis ejaculates semen during sexual intercourse. A spermatocele is unlikely to cause complications. However, if your spermatocele is painful or has grown so large that it’s causing you discomfort, you might need to have surgery to remove the spermatocele.
What is the most common location for a spermatocele?
Spermatoceles are also known as spermatic cysts. They are fluid-filled masses, often painless, and they grow near the testicles. They tend to be benign (not cancerous). These cysts are found near the top and behind the testicle, but are separate from the testicle.
Is a spermatocele life threatening?
Spermatoceles are not usually dangerous and are treated only when they cause pain or embarrassment or when they decrease the blood supply to the penis (rare). Treatment is not usually needed if a spermatocele does not change in size or gets smaller as the body reabsorbs the fluid.
What is a hydrocele cyst?
A hydrocele (HI-droe-seel) is a type of swelling in the scrotum that occurs when fluid collects in the thin sheath surrounding a testicle. Hydrocele is common in newborns and usually disappears without treatment by age 1. Older boys and adult men can develop a hydrocele due to inflammation or injury within the scrotum.
Is a hydrocele like a cyst?
Hydrocele is a swelling caused by fluid around the testicle. Varicocele is a swelling caused by dilated or enlarged veins within the testicles. Epididymal cysts are lumps caused by a collection of fluid in the epididymis, which is a long-coiled tube behind the testicles.
What do spermatoceles feel like?
Spermatoceles are generally painless so they can easily go unnoticed. They also can’t be seen during a visual exam because they’re contained within the scrotum, but they can be felt. A spermatocele will feel like a smooth, firm lump near the top of or behind the testicle.
How many days rest after hydrocele surgery?
Your groin and scrotum may be swollen or bruised. This usually gets better in 2 to 3 weeks. You will probably be able to go back to work or school 4 to 7 days after surgery. But you will need to avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for 2 to 4 weeks.
What can be mistaken for hydrocele?
What is a varicocele? This condition can be easily confused with a hydrocele since both involve swelling. But varicoceles are caused by enlarged, dilated veins in the testicles and is unrelated to any fluid retention.
How long does it take to recover from spermatocele surgery?
Your wound should heal within about 3 to 5 days. During this time, your wound may ooze very slightly. However, if your wound continues to ooze or you have any signs of an infection such as a red, hot, swollen, or painful wound please contact your own doctor as soon as possible.
Is a hydrocele a cyst?
Is hydrocele cancerous?
They’re usually harmless and rarely need to be treated. Hydroceles are often diagnosed with an ultrasound exam of the testicle and scrotum. In varicocele (VAR-ih-ko-seel), the veins within the scrotum get very large (dilate).
What is the main cause of hydrocele?
A hydrocele can develop as a result of injury or inflammation within the scrotum. Inflammation might be caused by an infection in the testicle or in the small, coiled tube at the back of each testicle (epididymitis).
How big is a spermatocele cyst?
At the time of excision, the average size of spermatoceles was 4.2 cm in greatest diameter, and most (71%) were right sided. Men who experienced pain as an isolated symptom were younger by approximately 10 years compared to those who experienced mass.
How serious is hydrocele surgery?
A hydrocelectomy is a surgery that removes or repairs a hydrocele, which is a fluid-filled sac surrounding your testicle. The procedure usually takes less than an hour to complete. Risks include healing issues, infection, swelling, bruising and scarring. It may take two or more weeks to recover.
Can hydrocele be cancerous?
Hydroceles generally don’t pose any threat to the testicles. They’re usually painless and disappear without treatment. However, if you have scrotal swelling, see your doctor to rule out other causes that are more harmful such as testicular cancer.
Can hydrocele affect kidneys?
PUV can cause mild to severe hydronephrosis in one or both kidneys, but in many cases the kidneys function reasonably well. Bladder development is also affected by the obstruction of urinary flow.
Is hydrocele operation painful?
Surgery to repair a hydrocele is often done at an outpatient clinic. General anesthesia is used so you will be asleep and pain-free during the procedure. In a baby or child: The surgeon makes a small surgical cut in the fold of the groin, and then drains the fluid.
What infections cause hydrocele?
epididymitis. Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis. Often this is caused by an infection — usually a sexually transmitted infection (STI). In some cases, this condition can cause a hydrocele to develop.
What happens if hydrocele is not treated?
If a communicating hydrocele does not go away on its own and is not treated, it can lead to an inguinal hernia. In this condition, part of the intestine or intestinal fat pushes through an opening (inguinal canal) in the groin area.
At what size should a spermatocele be removed?
Men on average will seek surgical correction of spermatoceles once the lesion has reached the size of a normal testicle, around 4 centimeters.
How long does it take to recover from Spermatocele surgery?