1. Urology cancer update for primary care
Jacob Cherian
June 2019

2. Testicular Lump - Case study
Day 1
A 40-year-old man – Mr G – attends accident and emergency with a painfully swollen testis.
He is seen by a specialist registrar – Dr A – who makes a diagnosis of epididymo-orchitis.
Mr G is given a seven-day course of the antibiotic co-amoxiclav and advised to see his GP for follow-up.

3. Testicular Lump - Case study
Day 7
Mr G attends for an appointment at his local general practice surgery.
He is seen by Dr B who notes the A&E attendance and antibiotic prescription.
The patient reports improvement in his condition but there is still some slight swelling.
Dr B prescribes a further seven-day course of antibiotics but this time with ofloxacin.

4. Mr G phones requesting an urgent appointment.
Testicular Lump - Case study
Day 16
Mr G phones requesting an urgent appointment.
He is concerned that the swelling has not cleared with the second course of antibiotics.
Dr B examines the patient again and identifies a small non-tender cyst in the left epididymis but the testis is “normal”.
Dr B reassures the patient and instructs him to return in two weeks if the symptoms have not settled.

5. Day 37
Mr G attends the practice again complaining of a persistent and painful swelling.
He sees Dr B and expresses his worry that he might have testicular cancer.
Dr B notes “Left testicular pain persists, lump adherent to upper pole” and he refers the patient for an ultrasound investigation of the testicle and issues a further prescription of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin.

6. Mr G is referred to a urologist the next day.
The urologist finds several focal lesions consistent with tumour on the scan.
On examination he detects a hard tender mass at the upper pole of the left testis.
Two days later Mr G undergoes an Orchidectomy
Histological analysis confirms a diagnosis of seminoma.
A CT scan shows enlargement of the peri-aortic lymph nodes on the left side
Mr G undergoes both chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

7. Suspected cancer: recognition and referral NICE guideline [NG12]
Published date: June 2015 Last updated: July 2017
Testicular cancer
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for testicular cancer in men if they have a non‑painful enlargement or change in shape or texture of the testis. [new 2015] 1
Consider a direct access ultrasound scan for testicular cancer in men with unexplained or persistent testicular symptoms. [new 2015]

8. Scrotal lump Painless Painful Transluminate Hydrocele Epididymal cyst
Spermatocele
Epididymo-orchitis
Torsion
Rarely Testicular tumour
Extra-testicular
Bag of worms
varicocele
Reducible
Hernia
Painless / hard
Tumour