Testicular cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the testicles. The testicles, which are also called testes, are in the scrotum. The scrotum is a loose bag of skin underneath the penis. The testicles make sperm and the hormone testosterone.
Testicular cancer isn't a common type of cancer. It can happen at any age, but it happens most often between the ages of 15 and 45.
The first sign of testicular cancer often is a bump or lump on a testicle. The cancer cells can grow quickly. They often spread outside the testicle to other parts of the body.
Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when it spreads to other parts of the body. Treatments depend on the type of testicular cancer that you have and how far it has spread. Common treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.
Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include:
Usually testicular cancer only happens in one testicle.
See your health care provider if you detect any symptoms that last longer than two weeks. These include pain, swelling or lumps in your testicles or groin area.
It's not clear what causes most testicular cancers.
Testicular cancer starts when something causes changes to the DNA of testicle cells. A cell's DNA holds the instructions that tell the cell what to do. The changes tell the cells to grow and multiply quickly. The cancer cells go on living when healthy cells would die as part of their natural life cycle. This causes a lot of extra cells in the testicle that can form a mass called a tumor.
In time, the tumor can grow beyond the testicle. Some cells might break away and spread to other parts of the body. Testicular cancer most often spreads to the lymph nodes, liver and lungs. When testicular cancer spreads, it's called metastatic testicular cancer.
Nearly all testicular cancers begin in the germ cells. The germ cells in the testicle make sperm. It's not clear what causes DNA changes in the germ cells.
Factors that may increase your risk of testicular cancer include:
There's no way to prevent testicular cancer. If you get testicular cancer, there's nothing you could have done to prevent it.
Some health care providers recommend regular testicle self-exams. During a testicular self-exam you feel your testicles for any lumps or other changes.
Not all health care providers agree with this recommendation. There's no research to show that self-exams can lower the risk of dying of testicular cancer. Even when it is found at a late stage, testicular cancer is likely to be cured.
Still, you might find it helpful to become aware of the usual feel of your testicles. You can do this by doing a testicular self-exam. If you notice any changes that last longer than two weeks, make an appointment with your health care provider.
You might find lumps, swelling or other symptoms of testicular cancer on your own. They can be detected during an exam by a health care provider too. You'll need other tests to see if testicular cancer is causing your symptoms.
Tests used to diagnose testicular cancer include:
Ultrasound. A testicular ultrasound test uses sound waves to make pictures. It can be used to make pictures of the scrotum and testicles. During an ultrasound you lie on your back with your legs spread. A health care provider puts a clear gel on the scrotum. A hand-held probe is moved over the scrotum to make the pictures.
Ultrasound gives your provider more clues about any lumps around the testicle. It can help your provider see whether the lumps look like something that isn't cancer or if they look like cancer. An ultrasound shows whether the lumps are inside or outside the testicle. Lumps inside the testicle are more likely to be testicular cancer.
Tests on your cancer cells give your health care team information about the type of testicular cancer that you have. Your care team considers your cancer type when deciding on your treatment.
The most common types of testicular cancer include:
Other types of testicular cancer exist, but they are very rare.
Once your doctor confirms your diagnosis, the next step is to see whether the cancer has spread beyond the testicle. This is called the cancer's stage. It helps your health care team understand your prognosis and how likely your cancer is to be cured.
Tests for staging testicular cancer include:
The stages of testicular cancer range from 0 to 3. In general, stage 0 and stage 1 cancers only affect the testicle and the area around it. At these early stages, the cancer hasn't spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Stage 2 testicular cancers have spread to the lymph nodes. When testicular cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is stage 3. Not all stage 3 cancers have spread though. Stage 3 can also mean that the cancer is in the lymph nodes and the tumor marker results are very high.
Testicular cancer treatment often involves surgery and chemotherapy. Which treatment options are best for you depends on the type of testicular cancer you have and its stage. Your health care team also considers your overall health and your preferences.
Operations used to treat testicular cancer include:
Testicular cancer surgery carries a risk of bleeding and infection. If you have surgery to remove lymph nodes, there's also a risk that a nerve might be cut. Surgeons take great care to protect the nerves. Sometimes cutting a nerve can't be avoided. This can lead to problems with ejaculating, but it generally doesn't affect your ability to get an erection. Ask your health care provider about options for preserving your sperm before surgery.
Chemotherapy treatment uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy travels throughout the body. It can kill cancer cells that may have spread beyond the testicle.
Chemotherapy is often used after surgery. It can help kill any cancer cells that are still in the body. When testicular cancer is very advanced, sometimes chemotherapy is used before surgery.
Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the specific medicines being used. Common side effects include fatigue, hearing loss and an increased risk of infection.
Chemotherapy also may cause your body to stop making sperm. Often, sperm production starts again as you get better after cancer treatment. But sometimes losing sperm production is permanent. Ask your health care provider about your options for preserving your sperm before chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells. The radiation can come from X-rays, protons and other sources. During radiation therapy, you're positioned on a table and a large machine moves around you. The machine points the energy beams at precise points on your body.
Radiation therapy is sometimes used to treat the seminoma type of testicular cancer. Radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery to remove your testicle.
Radiation therapy typically isn't used to treat the nonseminoma type of testicular cancer.
Side effects may include nausea and fatigue. Radiation therapy also can temporarily lower sperm counts. This can affect your fertility. Ask your health care provider about your options for preserving your sperm before radiation therapy.
Immunotherapy is treatment with medicine that helps your body's immune system kill cancer cells. Your immune system fights off diseases by attacking germs and other cells that shouldn't be in your body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the immune system cells find and kill the cancer cells.
Immunotherapy is sometimes used for advanced testicular cancer. It might be an option if the cancer doesn't respond to other treatments.
Each person comes to terms with a testicular cancer diagnosis in an individual way. You may feel scared and unsure of your future after your diagnosis. While feelings of anxiety may never go away, you can make a plan to help manage your emotions. Try to:
Make an appointment with your usual health care provider if you have any symptoms that worry you.
If your provider suspects you could have testicular cancer, you may be referred to a specialist. This might be a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. This doctor is called a urologist. Or you might see a doctor who specializes in treating cancer. This doctor is called an oncologist.
Because appointments can be brief, it's a good idea to be prepared. Try to:
Your health care provider is likely to ask you many questions. Being ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Your provider may ask:
Your time with your provider is limited. Make a list of questions so you're ready to make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For testicular cancer, some basic questions to ask include:
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions you think of during your appointment.
