skip to main content
RadInfo Logo Home

Newly Diagnosed Palpable Scrotal Abnormality

Testicular cancer is most commonly a germ cell testicular tumor, which accounts for about 85% of all testicular tumors. Most men with testicular cancer are diagnosed early, before the cancer has spread outside of the testicle. Some men will have associated symptoms and seek medical care, whereas other men may have a lump on the testicle that they feel (palpate) or because one testicle appears or feels larger than the other.

Abnormalities in the scrotum that can be felt (are palpable) are not always due to cancer but can be caused by a variety of other disorders. Diagnosing palpable scrotal abnormalities begins with a complete clinical history and physical examination, generally followed by imaging tests.

For individuals with newly diagnosed palpable scrotal abnormalities, with or without a history of trauma or infection, ultrasound duplex Doppler of the scrotum or ultrasound of the scrotum is usually appropriate. These imaging tests are equivalent alternatives, meaning only one is done. MRI pelvis (scrotum) without and with intravenous (IV) contrast and MRI pelvis (scrotum) without IV contrast may also be appropriate.

— By Natalie Skopicki and Nicola Schieda, MD. This information originally appeared in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

This page was reviewed on July 10, 2023

Sponsored By

Please note

RadiologyInfo.org is not a medical facility. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist or other physician. To locate a medical imaging or radiation oncology provider in your community, you can search the ACR-accredited facilities database.

This website does not provide cost information. The costs for specific medical imaging tests, treatments and procedures may vary by geographic region. Discuss the fees associated with your prescribed procedure with your doctor, the medical facility staff and/or your insurance provider to get a better understanding of the possible charges you will incur.

Web page review process: This Web page is reviewed regularly by a physician with expertise in the medical area presented and is further reviewed by committees from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR), comprising physicians with expertise in several radiologic areas.

Outside links: For the convenience of our users, RadiologyInfo.org provides links to relevant websites. RadiologyInfo.org, RSNA and ACR are not responsible for the content contained on the web pages found at these links.