Cancer of the Testicles (Testicular Cancer): What to Know

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that grows in one or both testicles. These are 2 small organs in the skin pouch under the penis (scrotum). They make sperm and a hormone called testosterone.

In testicular cancer, the cells change and grow out of control. They form an abnormal growth (tumor) in the testicles.

What are the causes?

The cause of testicular cancer isn't known.

What increases the risk?

Your risk may be higher if:

• You have an undescended testicle. This is a testicle that didn't move down into the scrotum at birth.
• Your testicles didn't grow in the usual way.
• You had testicular cancer before.
• Someone in your family, like a father or brother, had testicular cancer.
• You have Klinefelter syndrome. This is when the body shows some female traits.
• You're white (Caucasian).
• You have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• Swelling of the scrotum.
• A change in how your testicle feels.
• A bump or swelling in your testicle that doesn't hurt.
• A dull ache or heavy feeling in your lower belly or groin.
• Pain or discomfort in your testicles or scrotum.
• Sudden buildup of fluid in your scrotum.
• Growth of breast tissue. The breast area may feel painful or sore.

If the cancer spreads, symptoms may appear based on the part of your body that's affected. Symptoms may include:

• Lower back pain.
• Coughing or trouble breathing.
• Chest pain.
• Belly pain.
• Headache.
• Feeling confused.

How is this diagnosed?

Testicular cancer is diagnosed based on your medical history and a physical exam. Your health care provider will check your testicles for lumps, swelling, or pain. You'll also have tests done, such as:

• Ultrasound of the testicles. This uses sound waves to make pictures of your testicles.
• A blood test. This looks for tumor markers. These are signs that can be linked to certain cancers.
• Radical inguinal orchiectomy. This is surgery to remove the whole testicle so it can be tested for cancer cells.
• Imaging tests such as X-rays, a CT scan, a PET scan, an MRI, or a bone scan.

If testicular cancer is found, your provider will stage it to check:

• How big the tumor is.
• If the cancer has spread.
• Where the cancer has spread.

How is this treated?

Your health care team will work with you to make a treatment plan. Based on the stage of the cancer, one treatment or a group of treatments may be recommended. The most common forms of treatment are:

• Surgery to remove the cancer.
• Radiation therapy. For this, strong energy beams target and kill cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy. This uses strong medicine to kill cancer cells.
• High-dose chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. Very strong medicine is given, and then your own blood-forming cells (stem cells) are given back to help you recover.

Some treatments can make it hard or impossible to have a baby in the future. Talk with your provider about the risks. Also ask about options to protect your fertility, such as storing sperm before treatment.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take your medicines only as told.
• Keep a healthy diet. Talk with your dietitian, or your provider, about what food choices are best for you. A dietitian is an expert in healthy eating.
• If you have to go to the hospital, tell your cancer expert.
• Join a support group. This may help you learn to cope with the stress of having testicular cancer.
• Ask for advice from your care team to help you manage treatment side effects.
• Keep all follow-up visits. Your provider will check if your treatment is working.

Where to find more information

To learn more:

• Contact the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or go to cancer.org. Then:
  1. Click "Search" and type "testicular cancer."
  2. Find the link you need.
• Contact the National Cancer Institute at 800-4-CANCER or go to cancer.gov. Then:
  1. Click "Search" and type "testicular."
  2. Find the link you need.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a dull ache or heavy feeling in your lower belly or groin.
• You get a sudden buildup of fluid in your scrotum.
• You have new symptoms like a headache, cough, belly pain, or lower back pain.
• You have more pain, discomfort, or swelling in your testicle or scrotum.

Get help right away if:

• You have trouble breathing or chest pain.
• You feel confused.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Call 911 right away.

• Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital.