Steven Doerr, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Doerr received his undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated with his Medical Degree from the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado in 1998 and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado in 2002, where he also served as Chief Resident.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Cancer of
the testicles (testicular cancer) is an
uncommon condition that accounts for only about 1% of all cancers in men. Each year, 7,000 to 8,000 new cases of
testicular cancer will occur in the U.S., leading to approximately 400 deaths.
Doctors do not know the exact cause of testicular cancer, but a number of risk
factors for development of this disease have been identified. Young men between
the ages of 15 and 39 are most often affected. White men are affected more than men of other races, although the disease can
occur in men of any age and race,
including children. Men who have an undescended testicle (termed
cryptorchidism), even
if surgery has been performed to remedy the condition, have an increased risk
for the development of testicular cancer. Other risk factors include the genetic
condition known as Klinefelter's syndrome, abnormal
development of the testicles, and having relatives with testicular cancer.
Testicular pain refers to pain or discomfort that is felt in one or both
testicles. The pain may originate from the testicle itself, or it may be the
result of other conditions affecting the scrotum, groin or abdomen. Though there
are numerous medical conditions that can cause testicular pain, it is important
to understand thata few of them constitute medical emergencies
that require immediate medical attention in order to prevent the loss of
testicular function.
What function do the testicles have?
The testicles form part of the male reproductive organs, with a primary
function of producing sperm and the male hormone testosterone.
The testicles are contained within an external sac-like structure called the
scrotum, which is located between the penis and the anus. Adult testicles are
similar in size to large olives, and it is common for one testicle to hang lower
than the other within the scrotum. Located near the back of each testicle lies
the epididymis, a coiled tubular structure which functions to store and
transport sperm. The spermatic cord (a tubular structure containing blood
vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels and the vas deferens) courses from the
abdomen and is connected to each testicle. Apart from containing vital
structures for each testicle, the spermatic cord also suspends the testicles
within the scrotum.
What causes testicular pain?
There are several medical conditions that can lead to testicular pain. As
already described, some of these conditions require urgent evaluation and
management in order to preserve testicular function.
Testicular torsion
This condition occurs when the testicle twists
spontaneously within the scrotum, leading to a decrease in blood flow to the
affected testicle (from the twisting of the vessels within the spermatic cord).
If the blood supply is cut off for too long, the testicle will be permanently
damaged. This condition is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical
attention.
Testicular torsion typically occurs because of an anomaly affecting the
normal attachment of the testicle within the scrotum, often referred to as the
bell-clapper deformity. This abnormality allows the testicle to be freely
suspended and twist spontaneously. Often times, this anomaly is present in both
testicles. Trauma to the testicle is a rare cause of testicular torsion.
Testicular torsion is most common in males younger than 30 years of age, with
a peak incidence between 12-18 years of age. It can also occur more frequently
during the neonatal period. Testicular torsion most often affects the left
testicle.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, and/or urethra. Not
everyone with a UTI has symptoms. Common symptoms include a frequent urge to
urinate and a painful, burning when urinating.
Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
One in every 20 people develop a kidney stone at some point in their life. A kidney stone is a hard mineral and crystalline material formed within the kidney or urinary tract. Kidney stones symptoms and signs are, blood in the urine and pain in the abdomen, flank (lower back), or groin. A number of different conditions can lead to kidney stones including: gout, hypercalciuria, people with inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and hypoparathyroidism. Some medications also increase the risk of kidney stones.
A hernia is an opening or weakness in the muscular structure of the wall of the abdomen. This defect causes a bulging of the abdominal wall. Symptoms of a hernia include pain or discomfort and a localized swelling somewhere on the surface of the abdomen or in the groin area.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any
type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and
the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are
usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
Male sexual dysfunction can be caused by physical or psychological problems. Common sexual problems in men include erectile dysfunction (impotence or ED), premature ejaculation and loss of libido. Treatment for sexual dysfunction in men may involve medication, hormone therapy, psychological therapy, and the use of mechanical aids.
Mumps is an acute viral illness caused by the mumps virus. Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite; followed by swelling of the salivary glands.
Testicular cancer symptoms include a painless lump or swelling in a testicle, testicle or scrotum pain, a dull ache in the abdomen, back, or groin, and a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. Treatment for cancer of the testicles depends on the type of cancer (seminoma or nonseminoma), the stage of the cancer, and the patient's age and health.
Infertility is the diminished ability to conceive a child. The primary cause of infertility in men is a sperm disorder. In women, the primary cause of infertility is an ovulation disorder. Most forms of infertility can be treated. Conventional infertility therapies include drugs or surgery.
Hydrocele is a collection of clear fluid in a thin walled sack that also contains the testicle. Hydroceles are more common in males than females. There are two types of hydroceles: 1) communicating and 2)non-communicating. Hydroceles present at birth may resolve on their own. Hydroceles that appear in the teen or adult years may require surgery.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
Men's health is an important component to a happy lifestyle and healthy relationships. Eating healthy, exercise, managing stress, and knowing when to have medical tests for a particular age is key to disease prevention in men.
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health and community health.
The urinary tract is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra
(see Figure 1). A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection caused by
pathogenic organisms (for example, bacteria, fungi, or parasites) in any of the
structures that comprise the urinary tract. However, this is the broad
definition of urinary tract infections; many authors prefer to use more specific
terms that localize the urinary tract infection to the major structural segment
involved such as urethritis (urethral infection),
cystitis (bladder infection),
ureter infection, and pyelonephritis (kidney infection). Other structures that
eventually connect to or share close anatomic proximity to the urinary tract
(for example, prostate, epididymis, and vagina) are sometimes included in the
discussion of UTIs because they may either cause or be caused by UTIs.
Technically, they are not UTIs and will be only briefly mentioned in this ...
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