Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Does Testicular Cancer Feel Like?Types of Testicular Cancer TumorsWhat Causes Testicular Cancer?How to Check for Testicular CancerTesticular Cancer TreatmentOutlook for Testicular CancerTesticular Cancer Support and ResourcesNext in Testicular Cancer GuideSymptoms of Testicular Cancer
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Does Testicular Cancer Feel Like?
Types of Testicular Cancer Tumors
What Causes Testicular Cancer?
How to Check for Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer Treatment
Outlook for Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer Support and Resources
Next in Testicular Cancer Guide
The testicles (testes) are a part of the male reproductive system. Located in thescrotum—the sac of skin that hangs behind the penis—they’re usually about the size of a golf ball in adults. These organs produce sperm and manufacture male hormones such astestosterone.
Testicular cancer is rare and arises when cancer cells develop in a testicle. Typically, the first sign of this condition is a noticeable lump on a testicle, which is often painless, though it can cause sensitivity or pain.
This article details the signs, types, and causes of testicular cancer and how it’s diagnosed and treated.
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Testicular Cancer Symptoms: What Does It Feel Like?
Testicular cancer can be challenging to identify because it is sometimes asymptomatic (without symptoms or having few symptoms). Itssymptomsalso are nonspecific, meaning they can resemble other conditions, such as viral or bacterial infections of the testicles,orchitis, andepididymis.The symptoms of the disease can vary from case to case.
Testicular Cancer Lump
The primary symptoms of testicular cancer are typically observed in the scrotum. Generally, the early signs of the condition include:
In rare cases, the effects of cancer on testosterone production can cause additional symptoms, such as soreness or growth in the breasts and early puberty in boys.
Advanced Testicular Cancer Symptoms
If left untreated, testicular cancer cells can spread throughout the body (metastasis), becoming dangerous or fatal. Specific symptoms depend on the part of the body that’s affected. In advanced cases, you may experience the following:
Stages of Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is categorized based on severity and how far its spread. The four stages of testicular cancer are:
Testicular cancer causes various types of tumors, categorized based on the specific testicular cells affected. During diagnosis,oncologists(medical specialists who treat cancer) identify the tumor type to determine your prognosis and treatment plan. However, most people with testicular cancer have multiple types of cancer cells.
Seminomas
Most people with germ cell tumors have a mixture of seminoma cells and the other primary type, non-seminoma.
Non-Seminomas
A non-seminoma is the other major germ cell tumor; notably, many people with testicular cancer have seminoma and non-seminoma cells. Most often seen in males in their late teens to early 30s, non-seminomas tend to be more aggressive. The four types are:
Carcinoma in Situ
Carcinoma in situ(CIS) is typically a noninvasive testicular cancer, though it can progress to germ cell cancer. CIS testicular cancer cells usually don’t spread outside the seminiferous tubules.It doesn’t cause lumps or other symptoms in this state and can only be identified with a biopsy (removing sample tissue for testing in a lab).
Stromal Tumors
Stromal tumorsare testicular cancers that arise in the stroma, the hormone-producing tissues of the testicles. Representing only about 5% of cases in adults—though about 20% of those in children—the two primary types are:
Cancer cellsdevelop due to DNA mutations in healthy cells.While researchers aren’t sure why this happens, it’s currently thought that genetics, physiological (the way the body functions), and environmental factors lead to testicular cancer.
Risk Factors
Researchers have identified at least 19 specific gene mutations associated with testicular cancer. The condition is highly heritable, meaning it can be passed from parent to child.Having first-degree relatives, especially a father or brother, with a history of the condition increases your risk of developing it.
Several other factors increase the risk, including:
Testicular Cancer AgeTesticular cancer commonly affects young to middle-aged men. Theaverage age of onsetis 33, with about 86% of those with testicular cancer between 20 and 55.
Testicular Cancer Age
Testicular cancer commonly affects young to middle-aged men. Theaverage age of onsetis 33, with about 86% of those with testicular cancer between 20 and 55.
Testicular Cancer Diagnosis: How to Check
Prompt detection and diagnosis of testicular cancer improve the chances of a positive outcome. Testicular cancer that is detected early is typically smaller and more localized than that which is found late.
Testicular Self-Examination
Though testicular cancer can be asymptomatic in its early stages, lump development, swelling, and inflammation of the testicle are generally the first signs. Many people with testicles can check for the signs at home with atesticular self-examinationusing the following steps:
Physical Assessment
When you see a healthcare provider, their first steps in diagnosing testicular cancer involve an assessment of medical history, medical status, and physical examination. You’ll be asked about any previous personal or family history of testicular cancer and any symptoms you have. Afterward, the healthcare provider will feel for any lumps or abnormalities in the testicles and check the lymph nodes, breasts, and abdomen.
Imaging
You’ll undergo imaging if the healthcare provider finds any lumps or inflammation. They may use anultrasoundto assess tumors orcomputed tomography (CT) scanto confirm the diagnosis or to see if cancer has spread.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are used alongside other methods to stage the condition. Oncologists look for abnormally high levels oftumor markersin the blood. Tumor markers indicate more advanced cancer and can help a provider determine your type of cancer. These markers are:
Surgery
If a testicular cancer tumor is detected, a surgery called radical inguinalorchiectomyis often indicated. This surgery involves removing the tumor and the affected testicle, which is then sent to a laboratory for clinical evaluation.
The specific approach to the treatment of testicular cancer depends on the type and stage, and may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
Also used to assist in diagnosis, radical inguinal orchiectomy—the removal of a tumor and affected testicle—is the frontline treatment for testicular cancer.This treatment alone may be sufficient for earlier stages, though some require additional therapy.
Radiation Therapy
Chemotherapy
Typically reserved for stage 3 testicular cancer, chemotherapy involves regular, repeated intravenous (IV) administration of certain drugs over several months, with breaks in between.Chemotherapydrugs include combinations of etoposide and cisplatin (EP) and bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP).
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Alongside standard therapy, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can help take on side effects, ease stress, and cope with testicular cancer. Though more research is needed, some researchers believe these approaches may help treat the condition. CAM approaches can include:
Side Effects of Testicular Cancer Treatment
Cancer therapies cause significant and sometimes debilitating side effects. Short-term side effects associated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy include:
Fertility and Testicular Cancer Treatment
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also affect sperm and hormone production, leading to infertility. Overall, 48 to 92% of patients post-treatment can still become parents.If this concerns you, you may consider storing sperm in a sperm bank for later use.
Prognosis and Life After Testicular Cancer
The prognosis (outlook) following treatment for testicular cancer is excellent. The cure rate for seminomas is 90%, which climbs close to 100% for early-stage non-seminomas.While much depends on the stage and type of cancer you have, overall, 95% of those with the condition are alive five years after diagnosis.
Each case is different, and the above figures represent broad statistics. Talk to your healthcare provider about your prognosis and outcomes as you undergo treatment.
Testicular cancer—and its treatments—can significantly impact your quality of life and mental health. Males who’ve had an orchiectomy or have undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy may feel self-conscious about losing a testicle or the loss of sexual function and desire. Researchers have found higher rates of anxiety and depression in males following treatment.
However, there are many resources available to support cancer survivors. Means of coping include:
13 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.Signs or symptoms of testicular cancer.
Baird DC, Meyers GJ, Hu JC.Testicular cancer: diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician.2018;97(4):261-268.
American Cancer Society.Tests for testicular cancer.
American Cancer Society.What is testicular cancer?.
National Cancer Institute.What is cancer?.
Litchfield, K.; Thomson, H.; Mitchell, J. et al.Quantifying the heritability of testicular germ cell tumour using both population-based and genomic approaches.Scientific Reports.2015; 5:13889. doi:10.1038/srep13889.
American Cancer Society.Facts about testicular cancer: testicular cancer statistics.
American Cancer Society.Can testicular cancer be found early?.
National Cancer Institute.Complementary and alternative medicine.
National Cancer Institute.Testicular cancer treatment (PDQ): health professional version.
American Cancer Society.Testicular cancer survival rates.
Schepisi G, De Padova S, De Lisi D, et al.Psychosocial issues in long-term survivors of testicular cancer.Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2019;10:113. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00113
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