calcification

[RFC1873]

For a few years I had been having a pain in my testicle so I went to a urologist and was sent for an ultra sound after which I was told something about fluid in my scrotom and I was told that it was nothing to worry about. A year later I was still having pain so I went back and got another ultrasound and was then told that I had calcification in my testicle. Again I was told this was nothing to worry about, the doctor said some people think that it is linked to cancer but that there was no concrete evidence. I still occasionally have pain and I was wondering if this is a result of the calcification? I almost mentioned to the doctor that I had been playing soccer for 15+ years and he said that may have something to do with it. Is it something that is a common sports injury, like a knee injury? Also I was wondering what causes calcification to occur? My mum had a similar thing (not in her testicles) and was then diagnosed with cancer (link?) Sorry for all the questions.

[Toria]

There does seem to be an association, but no known direct link with cancer. One study that reviewed published cases of testicular calcification found a 30% correlation. This study was published in 1996, so it is relatively old. I could not find a more recent review with a quick browse of the literature. The percent sounds scary high, but your individual health is unique to you and the statistics only give a place to start, not a health sentence. Calcification of soft tissues can also be due to chronic inflammation or due to old injury. Cases that get published in the medical journals are there because they are unusual or interesting. Sometimes literature reviews are biased because of this, so the actual numbers may be lower in the general population. The most important thing is to follow up with your doctor to look for anything before it becomes a large issue.

This is the study I found:
Miller RL, Wissman R, White S, and Ragosin R. Testicular microlithiasis: a benign condition with a malignant association. Journal of Clinical Ultrasound, May 1996, volume 24, issue 4, pages 197 through 202 (J Clin Untrasound 24(4): 197-202, May, 1996)