Concierge urology · London
Testicular examination, consultant urology-led testicular examination and self-exam teaching.
A confidential consultant urology-led testicular examination — with structured teaching of monthly self-examination. Recommended for men aged 15-45, especially with a family history of testicular cancer or a prior undescended testicle.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant urologist — the person examining you is the person who decides the next step.
- 02
Confidential and discreet
A private 20-minute consultation with structured self-exam teaching — no waiting-room queues.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
The six things worth knowing about a private testicular examination.
What the appointment is, what it can — and cannot — settle, and the steps that anchor it.
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Definition
A consultant urology-led testicular examination with structured teaching of monthly self-examination.
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Consultant urology-led
The person examining you is a consultant urologist, not a generalist.
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20 minute appointment
A private 20-minute consultation covering history, examination and self-exam teaching.
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Structured self-exam teaching
You leave knowing how to perform a monthly testicular self-examination — and what to look for.
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Ultrasound-guided workup if abnormal
If the examination is not clearly normal, we arrange same-day scrotal ultrasound and tumour markers.
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Confidential and discreet
A private, single-room consultation — no shared waiting rooms, no notes going anywhere you haven’t agreed.
The diagnostic pathway
From history to plan — what happens, in order.
One consultant urologist from first message to plan — typically the same visit.
- 01
Urology consultation
A private consultation with a consultant urologist — history, concerns, timeline.
- 02
Personal + family history
Prior undescended testicle, previous testicular cancer, first-degree family history and risk factors.
- 03
Testicular examination
Systematic palpation of each testis, epididymis and spermatic cord — comparing sides.
- 04
Cremasteric reflex
Elicited on both sides — absence can be significant in the acute scrotum.
- 05
Ultrasound if indicated
Same-day scrotal ultrasound if any lump, asymmetry or diagnostic uncertainty is found.
- 06
Tumour markers (AFP, β-hCG, LDH)
Blood tests taken same-visit if a solid mass or high-suspicion finding is identified.
- 07
Structured plan
A clear written plan — reassurance, surveillance, or onward referral to uro-oncology.
Typical appointment: 20 minutes. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
What a testicular examination can — and cannot — settle.
A structured consultant examination distinguishes the benign findings from those needing same-day imaging and tumour markers.
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Hydrocele
A benign, painless fluid collection around the testis — trans-illuminates on examination.
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Varicocele
Dilated pampiniform plexus veins — the classic "bag of worms" on standing examination.
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Epididymal cyst
A benign fluid-filled cyst arising from the epididymis, separate from the testis.
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Testicular microlithiasis
Calcifications within the testis — usually incidental, occasionally warranting surveillance.
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Testicular mass (solid)
A solid intra-testicular mass — treated as testicular cancer until proven otherwise.
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Spermatocele
A benign cyst of the epididymal head containing sperm — separate from the testis.
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Testicular atrophy
A small, soft testis — post-torsion, post-inflammatory or endocrine causes.
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Red flag: firm painless mass — urgent US + tumour markers
A firm, painless intra-testicular mass is testicular cancer until proven otherwise — same-day ultrasound and markers.
Next steps
Treatment options if the examination finds something.
The plan follows the finding — from reassurance for benign disease through to full uro-oncology pathway for a confirmed malignancy.
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Reassurance if benign
A clearly benign finding — hydrocele, epididymal cyst, small varicocele — often needs nothing beyond reassurance and self-exam.
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Ultrasound-guided monitoring
Interval scrotal ultrasound for microlithiasis or borderline findings, on a defined schedule.
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Varicocele embolisation
A day-case interventional-radiology option for symptomatic or fertility-relevant varicocele.
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Hydrocele repair
Surgical repair for large or symptomatic hydroceles — usually a day-case procedure.
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Radical inguinal orchiectomy
The standard operation for a confirmed testicular malignancy — via an inguinal, not scrotal, incision.
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Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection
Considered in selected non-seminomatous germ-cell tumours as part of oncological management.
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Chemotherapy / radiotherapy
Stage- and histology-directed systemic or radiation treatment, coordinated by uro-oncology.
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MDT review
Any confirmed or suspected malignancy is discussed at a uro-oncology multidisciplinary team meeting.
Red flags
When a testicular finding needs urgent review.
Some presentations need same-day imaging and tumour markers rather than a routine outpatient slot. These are the ones we look for first.
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Firm painless mass
A firm, painless intra-testicular mass is testicular cancer until proven otherwise — same-day ultrasound and tumour markers.
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Rapid enlargement
Any rapidly enlarging testis warrants urgent scrotal ultrasound and urology review.
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Gynaecomastia + testicular mass
Breast tissue development alongside a testicular mass raises concern for a hormone-secreting tumour.
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Retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy
Palpable or imaged retroperitoneal nodes with a testicular finding is an oncology red flag.
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Family history first-degree
A first-degree relative with testicular cancer materially raises baseline risk.
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Prior undescended testicle
A history of cryptorchidism (corrected or not) raises lifetime testicular cancer risk.
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Immunosuppressed
Immunosuppression raises the threshold for imaging any unexplained testicular finding.
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Post-chemotherapy new mass
Any new testicular mass in a patient with a prior germ-cell tumour needs urgent review.
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Testicular pain with systemic symptoms
Testicular pain with fever, weight loss or night sweats warrants urgent systemic assessment.
Reading your report
A urology clinic letter can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the letter keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The letter is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and history
Your details, the reason for the consultation, and the personal and family history that shape interpretation.
- 02 Technique
Examination approach
How each testis, epididymis and spermatic cord was examined, and any adjunctive tests performed.
- 03 Findings
Side-by-side testicular findings
A systematic, side-by-side description — size, consistency, tenderness, any lump, and cord findings.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Normal, benign finding, or a lesion needing further work-up — with the concrete next step read first.
Sources
The guidance that anchors this page.
Reviewed on 2026-07-30. Next scheduled review 2027-07-30.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about testicular examination.
Quick answers on who should be examined, how self-exam works, appointment length, and what happens if a lump is found.
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Who should have a testicular examination?
Men aged 15-45 are the highest-risk group for testicular cancer, particularly those with a family history in a first-degree relative or a personal history of an undescended testicle. Any man with a new testicular lump, swelling, ache or asymmetry should also be examined promptly.
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How do I perform a testicular self-examination?
Once a month, after a warm bath or shower when the scrotal skin is relaxed, gently roll each testis between the thumb and fingers of both hands. You are feeling for a smooth, oval shape and comparing sides. Any new lump, firmness or change in size warrants medical review.
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How long does the appointment take?
A private testicular examination and self-exam teaching appointment is 20 minutes. If a scrotal ultrasound is needed, we can usually arrange it the same day.
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Is a firm painless lump always cancer?
No — but a firm, painless intra-testicular lump is treated as testicular cancer until proven otherwise, with same-day ultrasound and tumour markers (AFP, β-hCG, LDH). Many benign entities (epididymal cyst, spermatocele, hydrocele) mimic cancer on first feel and are distinguished on ultrasound.
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Do I need a referral?
No — most clinics accept self-referral for a private urology consultation. We can arrange a fast-track private GP referral if your insurer requires one.
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What happens if the examination is abnormal?
You go from the consultation directly to same-day scrotal ultrasound and tumour markers. If the findings suggest malignancy, the consultant urologist arranges urgent uro-oncology review and MDT discussion.
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In practice, in London
What testicular exam looks like on the ground in London
With testicular exam, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. Public provision for testicular exam is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.
A typical private booking for testicular exam in London starts with a consultant conversation — sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For testicular exam specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
There are a lot of consultants in London who can technically handle testicular exam. Fewer who do it week in, week out for the exact question you’re bringing. We spend most of our time working out which is which — and being straight when a different test or a different specialist would serve you better. Everything runs to CQC, GMC and Royal College standards; the choice is about fit, not floor.
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