Testicular Cancer

Men may experience several testicular health problems during life. Testicular pain, or scrotal pain, epididymitis/orchitis, and hydrocele are among the testicular health concerns men may face. Varicocele, Peyronie’s disease and testicular cancer are others. Men may also experience testosterone deficiency. Keeping appointments with a healthcare provider is important, as are annual physical examinations.

About

Testicles are male reproductive organs that produce and store sperm. They also produce testosterone, a hormone that causes such male traits as facial hair and lower voice pitch. Testicles are smooth, oval shaped, and somewhat firm to the touch. They are located below the penis in a sac of skin called the scrotum. Normally, the testicles descend into the scrotum before birth. Parents should routinely have their infant sons examined by a healthcare provider to be sure that the testicles have properly descended. If they have not, this can be easily corrected with surgery.

FYI

Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in men ages 15-35 years.

  • Because it accounts for only about 1% of all cancers in men, many people have never heard of this type of cancer.

Testicular cancer is of special concern to young men.

  • It’s less common in middle-aged and older men.  Caucasian men are about 5 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than African American men. The rate among Hispanic men lies between those of African Americans and Caucasians.

RISK FACTORS FOR TESTICULAR CANCER:

  • An undescended testicle. The risk is increased if a testicle did not move down into the scrotum.
  • Abnormal testicular development. Men whose testicles did not develop properly.
  • Family history of testicular cancer. The risk is greater in men whose brother or father has had the disease.
  • History of testicular cancer. Men who have had testicular cancer are at increased risk of developing cancer in the other testicle.
  • Klinefelter’s syndrome. Men with Klinefelter’s syndrome (a sex chromosome disorder) are at greater risk.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a small, painless lump in a testicle or a slightly enlarged testicle.  It’s important for men to become familiar with the size and feeling of their normal testicles, so that they can detect changes if they occur.

Other possible symptoms include:

  • Feeling of heaviness in  the scrotum
  • Dull ache in the lower stomach or groin
  • Change in the way a testicle feels
  • Sudden accumulation of blood or fluid in the scrotum.

It is important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by infections or other conditions that are not cancer. A healthcare provider can tell you if you have cancer and what the proper treatment should be.

Prevention

HOW TO DO A TESTICULAR CANCER SELF EXAM
A simple procedure called testicular self-exam (TSE) can increase the chances of finding a tumor early.

Men should perform TSE once a month – after a warm bath or shower. The heat causes the scrotal skin to relax, making it easier to find anything unusual.

TSE is simple, only takes a few minutes and follows these steps:

  1. Examine each testicle gently with both hands.
  2. The index and middle fingers should be placed underneath the testicle while the thumbs are placed on the top.
  3. Roll the testicle gently between the thumbs and fingers. One testicle may be larger than the other.  This is normal.
  4. The epididymis is a cord-like structure on the top and back of the testicle that stores and transports the sperm.  Do not confuse the epididymis with an abnormal lump.
  5. Feel for any abnormal lumps – about the size of a pea – on the front or the side of the testicle. These lumps are usually painless.

ANNUAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDER VISITS
Routine testicular self-exams are important, but they cannot substitute for a healthcare provider’s examination. Your healthcare provider should examine your testicles when you have a physical exam. You also can ask your healthcare provider to check the way you do TSE.

Diagnosis

IF YOU FIND A LUMP
If you do find a lump, you should contact your healthcare provider right away. The lump may be due to an infection, and a healthcare provider can decide the proper treatment. If the lump is not an infection, it is likely to be cancer. Remember that testicular cancer is highly curable, especially when detected and treated early. Testicular cancer almost always occurs in only one testicle, and the other testicle is all that is needed for full sexual function.

Questions to Ask Your Health Care Provider

It’s important that you become proactive in your healthcare so you to get the best treatment. Here are some questions you can ask your healthcare provider about testicular cancer.

  1. How great is my risk from having had a hernia/hydrocele as a child or mumps in my testicles as an adolescent?
  2. What type of testing will I need to determine what the lump or abnormality is?
  3. What treatment do you recommend for my case? What are the risks and benefits of treatment?
  4. What if I want to have children? How will my fertility be affected and what can I do about it?
  5. How much will my treatment interfere with my current lifestyle, and for how long?
  6. Will my sexual function be affected?
  7. Will I be able to ride a bike? Or participate in other sports?
  8. Do I need to make changes in my diet?
  9. Is my cancer curable?
  10. Could cancer recur in my other testicle?

Treatments

IS TESTICULAR CANCER CURABLE?
Many years ago, testicular cancer was often fatal because it quickly spread to vital organs such as the lungs. Today, due to advances in treatment, testicular cancer is one of the most curable cancers, especially if detected early and treated promptly.

TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment for testicular cancer is based mainly on the type and stage of the cancer. Some treatments may also cause infertility, so if you may want children later on you should consider sperm banking before treatment.

Stage 1. Some of these cancers can be cured in a good number of patients. They are first treated by surgically removing the testicle and spermatic cord. After surgery, several choices exist: Radiation, Chemotherapy, or Active Surveillance.

Resources

Check Out the Following Websites and Resources to Find Out More Information on Testicular Cancer

American Cancer Society
Medline Plus
Guide to Testicular Self-Exam

Last modified: July 14, 2015