What is the Difference Between Testicular Cancer and Hydrocele

Testicular cancer and hydrocele are two medical conditions that affect the testicles of the male reproductive system. These conditions may share similar symptoms. However, both these conditions have different aetiologies and different operative approaches.

The key difference between testicular cancer and hydrocele is their cause. Testicular cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the testicles, whereas hydrocele is a condition that results in scrotal swelling due to the collection of fluid in the thin sheath that surrounds the testicle.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Testicular Cancer  
3. What is Hydrocele
4. Similarities – Testicular Cancer and Hydrocele
5. Testicular Cancer vs Hydrocele in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Testicular Cancer vs Hydrocele
7. FAQ – Testicular Cancer and Hydrocele

What is Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the testicles. It usually occurs between the ages of 15 and 45. The genes that are most commonly altered in testicular cancer are KIT, TP53, KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF. Moreover, signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include a lump or swelling in either testicle, sudden swelling in the scrotum, a dull ache in the lower belly button, enlargement or tenderness of the breast tissue, pain in a testicle or scrotum, and back pain.

Figure 01: Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, ultrasound, and biopsy. Furthermore, testicular cancer is often treated through surgery and chemotherapy.

What is Hydrocele?

A hydrocele is a type of swelling in the scrotum, which is the pouch of skin that holds the testicles. Hydroceles are normally common in newborns. This often goes away without treatment by age one. Hydroceles can be congenital. Injuries to the scrotum or an infection are the cause of hydroceles in older children and adults. The signs and symptoms include a painless swelling of one or both testicles, an adult’s scrotum feeling heavy due to swelling, pain getting worse as the swelling increases, and swollen areas looking small in the morning and getting larger later in the day.

Figure 02: Hydrocele

Healthcare providers can diagnose hydrocele through physical examinations, urine tests, blood tests, and imaging tests such as ultrasound. A hydrocele that doesn’t go away on its own might require surgery to remove it.

Similarities Between Testicular Cancer and Hydrocele

1. Testicular cancer and hydrocele are two different scrotal and testicular conditions.
2. Both conditions affect only the males.
3. These conditions sometimes may have similar symptoms, such as pain in the testicles, scrotum swelling, etc.
4. Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests.
5. They can be treated through respective surgeries.

Difference Between Testicular Cancer and Hydrocele

Definition

1. Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the testicles.
2. A hydrocele is a type of swelling in the scrotum caused by abdominal fluid filling up in the sac around the testicles.

Commonness

1. Testicular cancer is a comparatively rare condition.
2. Hydrocele is a comparatively common condition.

Affected Population

1. Testicular cancer happens most often between the ages of 15 and 45.
2. Hydrocele is common in newborns.

Causes

1. Testicular cancer is caused by mutations in the genes such as KIT, TP53, KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF.
2. Hydrocele is caused by congenital problems, injuries, and infection.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, a feeling of unevenness, pain in the lower abdomen, the testicle or scrotum, back pain, and enlargement of breast tissue due to hormones created by cancer cells.
2. Signs and symptoms of hydrocele include swelling, pain or discomfort in the scrotum, discomfort in the groin area when sitting, and swelling that changes in size throughout the day.

Diagnosis

1. Testicular can be mainly diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, ultrasound, and biopsy.
2. Hydroceles can be mainly diagnosed through physical examination, CT scan, X-ray, and ultrasound.

Treatment

1. Treatments for testicular cancer include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, other drug therapies, and surgery.
2. Treatments for hydrocele include surgery to drain the fluid build-up in the scrotum if it does not go away on its own.

The following table summarizes the difference between testicular cancer and hydrocele.

Summary – Constipation vs Bowel Obstruction

Most scrotal and testicular conditions can cause swelling in the scrotum and testicles, including varicocele, testicular torsion, orchitis, epididymitis, testicular cancer, and hydrocele. Therefore, testicular cancer and hydrocele are two different conditions that result in swelling in the scrotum and testicles. However, testicular cancer is cancer that is found in the testicles due to abnormal cell growth, while hydrocele is fluid build-up in the sac around the testicle, known as the scrotum. This is the key difference between testicular cancer and hydrocele.

FAQ: Constipation and Bowel Obstruction

1. What is the death rate of testicular cancer?

• Testicular cancer is a very rare condition that affects 1% of males. This is largely a disease seen in young and middle-aged men. However, about 6% of cases occur in children and teens, and about 8% occur in men older than 55. The chance of dying from this cancer is very low ( about 1 in 5,000).

2. What is the primary cause of testicular cancer?

• Testicular cancer develops when cells multiply faster than usual and eventually forms a lump or tumor. Testicular cancer is caused by mutations in the genes such as KIT, TP53, KRAS/NRAS, and BRAF.

3. Is testicular cancer treatable?

• Testicular cancer is curable. It is treated successfully in 95% of cases. If treated early, the cure rate rises to 98%. The treatment options include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and respective surgeries.

4. What are the risk factors for hydrocele?

• The risk factors for hydrocele include premature babies, injury or inflammation within the scrotum, and infection, including a sexually transmitted infection.

5. How does it remove a hydrocele?

• During the hydrocele surgery, a cut or incision is made in the scrotum. Then, the tissue that forms the sac around the hydrocele is repositioned, a thin tube may be placed in the incision to let the fluid drain, and the incision in the scrotum is closed with stitches.

Reference:

1. “Hydrocele: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.” Advocate Health.
2.  “Testicular Cancer.”  NHS Choices, NHS.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Fatal testicular cancer in a 66-year old man with secondarie Wellcome V0036647ER” By Welcome Image Gallery (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Ultrasonography of an appendix on a testicle in a hydrocele” By Mikael Häggström – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia

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