Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsLater-Stage SymptomsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Testicular Cancer GuideCauses of Testicular Cancer

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Frequent Symptoms

Rare Symptoms

Later-Stage Symptoms

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Testicular Cancer Guide

Testicular canceris a relatively uncommon cancer but one that can cause extreme distress to the roughly 9,600 American men estimated to be diagnosed in 2020.As there are no screening tests available to detect the disease, detection depends largely on your ability to spot its common (and not-so-common) symptoms, which may include a lump in the testicle, a heaviness in the scrotum, testicular pain, fatigue, lower back pain, and unexplained weight loss.

By knowing the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer, you can be diagnosed and treated early and, more often than not, achieve complete remission.

testicular cancer symptoms

Testicular lumps are most often painless, although some do cause pain. They can also be movable or immovable. Some tumors may be smaller than a pea, while others can be larger than a marble. Many of the tumors will feel hard and rock-like.

Other common signs and symptoms include:

While a testicular lump can be scary, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cancer. There can be many different explanations for this of which cancer may be the least likely. With that being said, you should never ignore a testicular lump or any other symptoms suggestive of cancer.

Some men with testicular cancer may have no symptoms and will only be diagnosed during an unrelated medical exam (such as a fertility test or routine physical).

There is a rare type called testicular choriocarcinoma that is extremely aggressive and is more likely to spread to the lungs, bones, and brain. Other uncommon forms, like embryonal carcinoma, are also more prone to metastasis.

Testicular cancers like these can trigger the excessive production of a hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), also known as the “pregnancy hormone.” If this occurs, a man may experience gynecomastia, the abnormal enlargement of breast tissue.

While testicular cancer is exceedingly rare before the age of 14, it can occasionally occur. If it does, early puberty (also known as precocious puberty) may be the first sign. The condition is most often associated with the development of Leydig cell tumors.

If metastasis does occur, the symptoms can vary based on the location of the secondary tumor. Among the possible signs and symptoms:

If you discover a lump on your testicle, see your healthcare provider as soon as you can. While it is important to be proactive and vigilant, try not to jump to conclusions or let anxiety get the best of you.

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According to the National Cancer Institute, only around six of every 100,000 American men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year, making it one of the least common causes of cancer in the United States.Unless you are at high risk, the chances are pretty good you’ll be cancer-free.

Some of the more likely causes of testicular lump are infection and injury, either of the testicle itself or the tube through which sperm is transported from the testicle (called the epididymis).

On the off-chance you do have cancer,treatmentis such that more than 95% of cases have a five-year survival rate , including 73% of men diagnosed with metastatic disease.

Frequently Asked QuestionsOf the two types of testicular cancer, seminomas spread faster than nonseminomas, but nonseminomas are more common. However, how quickly either type of testicular cancer spreads will vary depending on the patient. The American Urology Association warns that men wait five months, on average, to tell their healthcare provider about testicular cancer symptoms, and the cancer could spread in that time.Several risk factors may make a man more likely to develop testicular cancer. These include a history of undescended testicle, family history of testicular cancer, previous testicular cancer, and HIV. Testicular cancer occurs most frequently in males aged 20 to 34, though it can occur at any age, and it’s four to five times more likely to affect White males than Black or Asian-American males.

Of the two types of testicular cancer, seminomas spread faster than nonseminomas, but nonseminomas are more common. However, how quickly either type of testicular cancer spreads will vary depending on the patient. The American Urology Association warns that men wait five months, on average, to tell their healthcare provider about testicular cancer symptoms, and the cancer could spread in that time.

Several risk factors may make a man more likely to develop testicular cancer. These include a history of undescended testicle, family history of testicular cancer, previous testicular cancer, and HIV. Testicular cancer occurs most frequently in males aged 20 to 34, though it can occur at any age, and it’s four to five times more likely to affect White males than Black or Asian-American males.

Causes of Testicular Cancer

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for testicular cancer.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer.Gheorghisan-galateanu AA.Leydig cell tumors of the testis: A case report.BMC Res Notes.2014;7:656. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-656National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: Testicular cancer.Urology Care Foundation.What is testicular cancer?American Cancer Society.Risk factors for testicular cancer.Additional ReadingHanna, N. and Einhorn, L.Testicular Cancer.N Engl J Med.2014; 371:2005-16. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1407550Julián, M.; Pizarro, E.; Martínez Peralta, S. et al.Gynecomastia as unusual presentation of primary choriocarcinoma of the colon: a case report and literature review.AACE Clin Case Rep.2015;1(4):e260-e264. doi:10.4158/EP14485.CRMendez-Gallart, R.; Bautista, A.; Estevez, E. et al.Leydig cell testicular tumour presenting as isosexual precocious pseudopuberty in a 5 year-old boy with no palpable testicular mass.Clin Pediatr Endocrinol.2010; 19(1):19-23. doi:10.1297/cpe.19.19

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Cancer Society.Key statistics for testicular cancer.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer.Gheorghisan-galateanu AA.Leydig cell tumors of the testis: A case report.BMC Res Notes.2014;7:656. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-656National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: Testicular cancer.Urology Care Foundation.What is testicular cancer?American Cancer Society.Risk factors for testicular cancer.Additional ReadingHanna, N. and Einhorn, L.Testicular Cancer.N Engl J Med.2014; 371:2005-16. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1407550Julián, M.; Pizarro, E.; Martínez Peralta, S. et al.Gynecomastia as unusual presentation of primary choriocarcinoma of the colon: a case report and literature review.AACE Clin Case Rep.2015;1(4):e260-e264. doi:10.4158/EP14485.CRMendez-Gallart, R.; Bautista, A.; Estevez, E. et al.Leydig cell testicular tumour presenting as isosexual precocious pseudopuberty in a 5 year-old boy with no palpable testicular mass.Clin Pediatr Endocrinol.2010; 19(1):19-23. doi:10.1297/cpe.19.19

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Cancer Society.Key statistics for testicular cancer.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer.Gheorghisan-galateanu AA.Leydig cell tumors of the testis: A case report.BMC Res Notes.2014;7:656. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-656National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: Testicular cancer.Urology Care Foundation.What is testicular cancer?American Cancer Society.Risk factors for testicular cancer.

American Cancer Society.Key statistics for testicular cancer.

American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer.

Gheorghisan-galateanu AA.Leydig cell tumors of the testis: A case report.BMC Res Notes.2014;7:656. doi:10.1186/1756-0500-7-656

National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: Testicular cancer.

Urology Care Foundation.What is testicular cancer?

American Cancer Society.Risk factors for testicular cancer.

Hanna, N. and Einhorn, L.Testicular Cancer.N Engl J Med.2014; 371:2005-16. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1407550Julián, M.; Pizarro, E.; Martínez Peralta, S. et al.Gynecomastia as unusual presentation of primary choriocarcinoma of the colon: a case report and literature review.AACE Clin Case Rep.2015;1(4):e260-e264. doi:10.4158/EP14485.CRMendez-Gallart, R.; Bautista, A.; Estevez, E. et al.Leydig cell testicular tumour presenting as isosexual precocious pseudopuberty in a 5 year-old boy with no palpable testicular mass.Clin Pediatr Endocrinol.2010; 19(1):19-23. doi:10.1297/cpe.19.19

Hanna, N. and Einhorn, L.Testicular Cancer.N Engl J Med.2014; 371:2005-16. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1407550

Julián, M.; Pizarro, E.; Martínez Peralta, S. et al.Gynecomastia as unusual presentation of primary choriocarcinoma of the colon: a case report and literature review.AACE Clin Case Rep.2015;1(4):e260-e264. doi:10.4158/EP14485.CR

Mendez-Gallart, R.; Bautista, A.; Estevez, E. et al.Leydig cell testicular tumour presenting as isosexual precocious pseudopuberty in a 5 year-old boy with no palpable testicular mass.Clin Pediatr Endocrinol.2010; 19(1):19-23. doi:10.1297/cpe.19.19

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