What Men Should Know About Testicular Cancer

Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed by Cancer Center Staff
First Published: 1988
Last Revised: July 2002

Rates and Statistics

It is estimated there are 7,500 new cases of testicular cancer each year.

The incidence of testicular cancer among white males has nearly doubled in the last forty years.

Testicular cancer is 4.5 times more common among white males than blacks.

Overall, about three American men in 1,000 develop testicular cancer at some time in their lives. It can occur in men at any age and is the most common cancer in men between 15 and 35 years old.

The stage of the disease at the time of detection and treatment is an important predictor of prognosis. If testicular cancer is treated before it has spread to the lymph nodes, the cure rate is greater than 98%. This high degree of successful treatment demonstrates the importance of early detection practices such as testicular self-examination (TSE).

Risk Factors

The causes of testicular cancer are not well understood. Congenital abnormalities, hormonal drugs, certain diseases such as mumps or a viral infection, and heredity have been suggested as factors that could increase a man's risk of developing testicular cancer.

Men who have an undescended or partially descended testicle are known to be at higher risk.

Socioeconomic status may also be related to testicular cancer. Professional men and skilled workers have a higher risk of testicular cancer than do other groups.

Safeguards: Testicular Self-Examination

Most testicular cancers are discovered by men themselves, either by accident or when practicing testicular self-examination.

TSE should begin in adolescence. It is as important to men as breast self-examination is to women.

Monthly self-examination will result in earlier detection of testicular tumors and may increase survival rates.

How to do TSE

Testicular self-examination is best performed once a month, during or soon after a warm shower or bath when the scrotal skin is most relaxed.

While standing, each testicle should be gently examined with the fingers of both hands. Place the index and middle fingers on the underside of the testicle and thumb on the top. Gently roll the testicle between the thumb and fingers, feeling for lumps, swelling, or other changes. The process is repeated with the other testicle.

The normal testicle feels smooth, egg-shaped, and rather firm.

Warning Signs

Testicular cancer can show a variety of symptoms or there may be no symptoms at all. The first sign is usually a slight enlargement of one of the testicles.

The most common sign of cancer of the testis is a small hard painless lump, about the size of a pea, which is often found on the front or side of the testicle. Other signs such as scrotal enlargement, unusual tenderness, pain, problems in urination, enlarged lymph glands, tenderness of the breast, a dull ache or feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen or groin should be reported to a physician immediately.

Treatment

The current treatment of testicular tumors depends on the type and stage of the disease. The preferred treatment is usually an "orchiectomy" or surgical removal of the affected testicle. In some cases, it may be used together with radiation or chemotherapy.

Removal of a testicle does not cause impotence.

Follow-Up

Treatment follow-up is an extremely important part of testicular cancer therapy, especially since most relapses occur within the first year. Follow-up will include blood tests, chest x-rays and possibly CT scans.

Why Men Delay Going to the Doctor

Men often delay seeking medical attention because of the mildness of the typical early symptoms. They may believe because the lump is painless that it is also harmless, or that it will go away by itself. They may have concerns about loss of sexuality, or becoming sterile. They may fear the treatment, cancer, or death. Most often, early medical attention will lead to the assurance that cancer is not present. However, when cancer is found, early detection leads to a higher cure rate.

See related Patient Textbooks about Cancer Center or Urology.

See related Patient Topics Cancer Center, Cancer--General, Cancers, Genitourinary, Male Genital Disorders, Men's Health, Sexual Health, Testicular Cancer or Urology.

See related Provider Textbooks about Cancer Center or Urology.

See related Provider Topics Cancer Center, Cancer--General, Cancers, Genitourinary, Male Genital Disorders, Men's Health, Sexual Health or Urology.

All contents copyright © 1992-2004 the Author(s) and The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

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