Approach
- As for scrotal examination
- Inspect
- May look normal
- Often enlarged testis visible
- Palpate
- Usually inseperable from the testis
- Irregular, nodular
- Non-tender
- Not-transilluminable
- Distinct from supericial ring - can get above it
- Percuss
- Auscultate
Completion
- Examine contralateral scrotum
- Examine for abdominal lymphadenopathy
- Examine abdomen (for splenomegaly)
- Examine chest (for "metastases")
Differential diagnosis
- Testicular tumours
- Old infection
- Calcified hydrocoele
- Scrotal skin tumours
Presentation of testicular tumours
- Mass
- Painless lump / dull ache in one testis
- Secondary metastases
- Back pain if para-aortic node infiltration
- Paraneoplastic
Removal of testicular tumour
- Inguinal approach
- Early clamping of testicular artery and vein within spermatic cord (prevents seeding)
Classification of testicular tumours
- Embryonal - from primitive germ cell
- Choriocarcinoma
- Yolk-sac tumour
- Leydig cell tumours - associated with gynaecomastia, only 10% malignant
- Sertoli cell tumours - also produce gynaecomastria
- Lymphoma - most commonly in patients who have generalised lymphoma elsewhere; poor prognosis
Teratoma | Seminoma | |
Age of presentation | 20-30 years | 30-40 years |
Tumour markers | AFP and bHcG raised | Normal |
Treatment of early disease | Chemotherapy | Radiotherapy to para-aortic nodes +/- cisplatin |
Treatment of advanced disease | Combination chemotherapy | Adjuvant chemotherapy, either single dose or in combination |