Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. View sample

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Scrotal masses are areas of fluid or solid material in, on or around your testicles. Although they may indicate a less serious or harmless condition, scrotal masses may also signal something as serious as cancer.

The location of the testicles in the scrotum, a loose bag of skin underneath your penis, keeps them at a temperature lower than that within your abdominal cavity. The lower temperature is needed for adequate sperm production.

The relatively exposed location of the testicles and scrotum makes them prone to injuries, but it also makes them easy to examine for the presence of scrotal masses.

Have your doctor check out any unusual lumps or swelling in, on or around your testicles. Treatment of scrotal masses depends on the cause.

Symptoms

DS00410

July 19, 2007

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger