Testicular Cancer

What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both testicles. This growth becomes a lump or tumor. Cells can break away from the initial tumor to form new growths elsewhere in the body.

The testicles are part of the male reproductive system. They are in a sac of loose skin, called the scrotum or scrotal sac, which lies directly below the base of the penis.

How does it occur?

The cause of testicular cancer is not known, but there are several risk factors. For example, men who have or have had an undescended testicle, whether or not it was surgically corrected, have a higher risk of developing testicular cancer. An undescended testicle is a condition in which one or both testicles did not complete the natural passage from inside the abdomen down into the scrotum before birth. Usually the cancer develops on the side of the undescended testicle, but sometimes the cancer is in the other, normally descended testicle.

Some other risk factors are:

a family history of testicular cancer
abnormal development of the testicles, penis, or kidneys.

A man may also have an increased risk of testicular cancer if he was born with an inguinal hernia (a bulging of the intestines through a weak area in the groin area, where the thigh meets the abdomen).

Testicular cancer is most common in men between the ages of 20 and 39.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a tumor in the testicle are:

a painless lump or swelling in a testicle
pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
any enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels
a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
a dull ache in the lower abdomen, back, or groin
a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum.

Many of these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer. It is important to examine your testicles often. Report any symptoms right away to a health care provider to determine the cause.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will ask about your medical history and examine you. You may have the following tests:

blood tests
an ultrasound scan.

How is it treated?

Treatment may include:

surgery to remove the testicle and spermatic cord through an incision (cut) in the groin (an operation called an orchiectomy )
chemotherapy, which uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells
radiation therapy, which is the use of high-energy rays from a machine outside the body to shrink the tumor and kill cancer cells.

How long will the effects last?

More than 95% of testicular cancer can be cured. The earlier the cancer is found, the more likely the treatment will be successful. Testicular cancer, like all cancers, can reoccur. Men who have had cancer in one testicle have an increased risk of cancer in the other testicle. Regular exams after treatment are important. Your health care provider will recommend frequent checkups that include blood tests and CT scans (computerized x-rays).

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your health care provider.
Eat a healthy diet.
Recognize that having the cancer is an added stress in your life. Take more time for your important relationships and for rest.
Be candid with your family and your health care providers about your concerns.
Ask your health care provider any questions you have about the course of the disease, treatments, side effects of the treatments, support groups, and anything else that concerns you.
Find a counselor to help you deal with difficult issues.
Spend time with people and activities you enjoy.

For more information, contact:

American Cancer Society, Inc.
Phone: 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
Web site: http://www.cancer.org
AMC Cancer Research Center and Foundation
Phone: 800-525-3777
Web site: http://www.amc.org
National Cancer Institute
Phone: 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
Web sites: http://cis.nci.nih.gov and http://www.cancer.gov

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File CNC3544F.HTM Release 9.0/2006