What is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer happens when normal cells in 1 or both testicles change into abnormal cells and grow out of control. The testicles are found inside a skin sac called the "scrotum". The testicles make sperm and male hormones.
Testicular cancer occurs most often in boys and men ages 15 to 35. There are different types of testicular cancer. But most cases of testicular cancer can be cured with treatment
What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
The first symptom of testicular cancer is often a lump or swelling in the scrotum that is not painful. Other symptoms can include:
- A dull ache or heavy feeling in the low belly, or around the anus or scrotum
- Pain in the testicles or scrotum
These symptoms can be caused by conditions that are not cancer. But if you feel a lump in your testicle, you should see your doctor or nurse as soon as possible.
Is there a test for testicular cancer?
Yes. If your doctor or nurse suspects you have testicular cancer, he or she might order a testicular ultrasound. This is an imaging test that creates pictures of the inside of the testicles and can show abnormal growths. In men suspected of testicular cancer, a mass or lump seen on ultrasound can be a sign of testicular cancer.
The only way to know for sure if a man has testicular cancer is for a doctor to remove the abnormal testicle and send it to a lab to be checked for cancer. Surgery to remove a testicle is called an "orchiectomy."
What is cancer staging?
For men with testicular cancer, cancer staging is a way in which doctors find out if the cancer has spread beyond the testicles to other parts of the body. Staging usually involves blood tests, CT scans, or other imaging tests.
How is testicular cancer treated?
Removing the testicle is the first part of treatment. Further treatment depends on 3 things:
- The type of cancer that is found
- Whether or not there is a risk it could return
- Whether the cancer has spread outside the testis
In general, the treatment options for testicular cancer could include any of the following:
- Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is the medical term for medicines that kill cancer cells or stop them from growing.
- Radiation Therapy - Radiation kills cancer cells.
- Surgery - Testicular cancer is sometimes treated with surgery to remove nearby lymph nodes, which are bean-shaped internal organs. This surgery can help prevent the spread of testicular cancer in the body. A doctor might also do surgery to remove a mass in another part of the body if the cancer has spread.
- A rigorous follow-up schedule (also called active surveillance) - For men with early testicular cancer, treatment beyond removal of the testicle is not always needed. For these men, doctors sometimes recommend simply monitoring the body for changes that could indicate the return of cancer.
What if I want to father a child one day?
If you want to father a child one day, talk with your doctor. Treatments for testicular cancer can reduce or stop sperm production. Some men choose to store their sperm before treatment so they can use it in the future to have a child.
What happens after treatment?
After treatment, you will be checked every so often to see if the cancer comes back. Follow-up tests usually include exams, blood tests, and imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans.
What happens if the cancer comes back or spreads?
If the cancer comes back or spreads, you might have more chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.