Epididymal cyst

What is an epididymal cyst?

An epididymal cyst is a harmless growth that grows from the tubes that transport sperm. The tubes are located around a man's testicle.

A cyst is just any small bulge that is filled with fluid. Cysts can grow almost anywhere in the body.

The epididymis is the name of the little tubes just above the testicle (testis). This picture shows where the epididymis is and also shows the rest of the anatomy, including the testis and vas deferens:

Cross-section view

An epididymal cyst usually presents as a soft, slightly squidgy lump at the top or bottom of your testicle (testis). It is not usually painful and won't affect your ability to exercise, pass urine or ejaculate. They do not usually get infected.

Men are most likely to develop these cysts during middle age. Children rarely get them before they become teenagers. It's hard to give an exact percentage of boys or men who have epididymal cysts because most people who have them don't know that they do.

We don't really know what causes epididymal cysts, though it may be that infection or inflammation might make it more likely that one will occur.

• Inflammation: some illnesses cause a thickening of the epididymis and surrounding structures which can feel like an epididymal cyst.

• Hydrocele: this is caused by a collection of fluid in the scrotum.

• Varicocele: this is like varicose veins of the small veins next to one testicle (testis) or both testes. It is usually described as feeling like a 'wriggling bag of worms'.

• Lipoma: this is a fatty lump which can sometimes cause difficulty because it can be felt separate from the testicle, just like an epididymal cyst.

Usually they are quite typical in the way they feel and a doctor can confidently reassure you by undertaking a physical examination.

If the doctor isn't quite sure what the lump is, they could arrange an ultrasound scan of your scrotum - they may do this anyway even if they are pretty sure that it is an epididymal cyst, just for reassurance.

Most men with epididymal cysts are quite healthy. There are some quite rare conditions that are associated with epididymal cysts:

• Cystic fibrosis: an inherited illness in which there are cysts in the lungs, pancreas and other areas of the body.

• Polycystic kidney disease: an inherited condition in which cysts develop in the kidneys and other parts of the body.

Males who have epididymal cysts are not at increased risk of infertility if they are otherwise well.

No treatment

If the cyst is small and causing no pain or discomfort, then all you need to do is keep an eye on it and see a doctor if it increases in size.

Surgical removal

Large or painful cysts can be surgically removed or treated by aspiration and injection of a substance to shrink and seal the cyst.

Children do not usually need treatment because most cysts disappear by themselves. However it may take up to four years to resolve. Surgical removal may be necessary if they become painful or don't start to shrink.

Usually epididymal cysts don't cause any problems at all. But occasionally they can twist around and become very painful. This is called torsion and happens pretty quickly: within about half an hour. It is really painful and usually needs surgery to untwist it and remove it.