What is hydrocele? Danny Dyer considers 'painful' surgery to solve health issue

Jess Bacon
·Contributor
Updated ·3-min read
Danny Dyer (Getty Images)
The actor says he needs to have surgery on the growth in the future. (Getty Images)

Danny Dyer has spoken about suffering from a condition called hydrocele, a collection of fluid in the scrotum. According to the NHS, the health condition is usually a benign (non-cancerous) condition caused by either over-production or under-drainage of fluid from the sac (bag) that contains the testicle.

Talking about his condition on his podcast, Live and Let Dyers, the Eastenders actor, 47, said his testicle needed to be "sorted out" due to the condition.

"I need to get it done – is have a reduction on my winkle, because it's just too big… no, it’s not the winkle," he explained. "My big nut. I do need to get that [done]. I need to get it drained. It’s a hydrocele."

The actor has spoken in the past about how the condition developed during puberty when one of his testicles started to grow much bigger than the other and become "f****** huge."

The Rivals star revealed in his podcast that the health issue runs in the family - although true hereditary factors have not been identified. His father struggled with the same condition and encouraged him to get the surgery to remove it, Dyer explains.

"My dad had the operation," he says. "So he's always been on my case with my dad, like, listen, you got to get that b****** done. It ain't right. He said it was painful and then he went to me, don't get it done. Don't get it done. I can't sit down. So it was a conflicting message. It’s something that I will get done eventually."

A hydrocele is often painless and surgery isn't "always necessary" but it's important to monitor if it changes (Getty Images)
A hydrocele is often painless and surgery isn't "always necessary" but it's important to monitor if it changes (Getty Images)

Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp explains that a hydrocele is usually "painless and harmless, and it can vary in size." In adult men they can develop after an injury, infection or inflammation, but it’s also common in newborns and naturally resolves itself.

The main signs of a hydrocele include swelling or heaviness in the scrotum, which is completely normal. But if you also experience symptoms such as a fever, change in size, redness, warmth or severe pain, make sure to visit a GP to have it checked out to rule out other scrotal conditions.

Dr Misra-Sharp continues: "Hydroceles can generally be left alone if they aren’t causing discomfort or growing significantly. However, if the hydrocele is large, painful, or affecting daily life (for example, by causing discomfort during physical activity), it may need further assessment."

Predominantly, hydroceles are asymptomatic and shouldn’t affect your day to day life. However, there is potential to have it drained in surgery, a hydroelectomy, but Dr Misra-Sharp says that isn’t "always necessary."

"In many cases, particularly in young children or if the hydrocele is small and asymptomatic in adults, no treatment is needed," she adds, "However, surgery might be recommended if the hydrocele is large, uncomfortable, causing pain, cosmetic concerns or it persists with no signs of resolving on its own."

The procedure is low-risk and straightforward, as it involves draining the fluid and "repositioning or removing the sac" to prevent it from growing back.

Dr Misra-Sharp adds that it’s always better to be viligant when it comes to prostate and testicular health. She adds: "While hydroceles are usually harmless, they can occasionally mask or be linked to other testicular issues, so it’s always best to seek medical advice if there are any concerns, especially if the swelling changes in size, becomes painful, or is accompanied by other symptoms."

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