Testicular cancer at a glance
Overall, testicular cancer is not very common.
Each year, there are over 1,900 new cases in the UK. Testicular cancer responds particularly well to treatment, and over 9 in 10 patients are cured.
The cancer develops from the cells within the testes. The testes are the two small oval-shaped organs on either side of the penis that produce and store sperm.
They also provide the main source of testosterone, the male sex hormone, which is responsible for male sexual characteristics.
If the cancer is not treated, cancer cells from the original site may break away and spread to nearby lymph nodes. The disease can also spread to the lungs or, rarely, other organs.
If you are a patient looking for information on testicular cancer, please visit our patient information website, CancerHelp UK
Click on the links below to find out more about testicular cancer.
Risks and causes
The following things affect a person's chances of developing testicular cancer.
AgeUnlike other cancers, testicular cancer is diagnosed more frequently in the young and middle-aged than in elderly men.
Cryptorchidism (undescended testicle)Normally, as a male baby grows in the womb, the testicles develop inside the body and descend into the scrotum before birth. In cryptorchidism, this does not happen to one or both testicles. This condition may increase the risk of testicular cancer by five to ten times.
Having the testicle re-positioned in hospital before the age of 10 may reduce this excess risk, but men who have had their testicle re-postioned are still at slightly increased risk.
In men with a history of cryptorchidism, although most most cancers develop in the undescended testicle, up to 25% of cases occur in the normally descended testicle.
Family historyHaving a close relative who has had testicular cancer increases the risk of getting the disease. Inherited genetic factors may play a role in up to one in five testicular cancers.
Previous testicular cancerHaving had testicular cancer before increases the risk of developing cancer in the other testicle. However, cancer in both testicles is rare.
Human immunodeficiency virusInfection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), particularly if acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has developed, increases the risk of developing testicular cancer.
Race and ethnicityTesticular cancer is most common in affluent Caucasians. With the exception of New Zealand Maoris, the disease is rare in non-Caucasian populations.
Klinefelter's syndromeThis is a sex chromosome disorder, which results in low levels of male hormones, sterility, breast enlargement, and small testes. People who have Klinefelter's syndrome are at greater risk of developing testicular cancer.
You can find out more about what 'cancer risk' means in the 'Understanding 'risk'' section of this website.
Signs and symptoms
The early signs of testicular cancer are usually obvious and easy to spot:
- a hard lump on the front or side of a testicle
- swelling or enlargement of a testicle
- an increase in firmness of a testicle
- pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum (the sac that holds the testes)
- an unusual difference between one testicle and the other.
Other warning signs may include:
- a heavy feeling in the scrotum
- a dull ache in the lower stomach, groin or scrotum.
These symptoms may all be caused by conditions other than cancer, such as a cyst or infection. Yet, it is important to contact a doctor if any symptoms occur. Testicular cancer is easier to treat successfully if detected early.
Screening
There is no screening programme for testicular cancer, but self-examination is effective.
Boys should start to check the testes from puberty onwards. This helps to establish
what is normal, and to detect any changes early on.
Detection
Initially, the doctor will ask questions about any previous medical problems and examine the testicles. The doctor will feel for any indication of swelling or tenderness and also for the size and location of any mass. After referral, a specialist may carry out further tests, such as:
Treatment
The type of treatment will depend on the type of cancer and whether it has spread:
SurgeryThe most common surgical operation to treat testicular cancer is removing the testicle completely. The surgeon does not just remove part of the testicle because of the risk of spreading the disease. As long as only one testicle is removed, surgery will not affect fertility.
ChemotherapyDoctors may use chemotherapy drugs on their own or in combination.
RadiotherapyDoctors may choose radiotherapy to prevent the disease coming back after surgery or to treat the disease if it has spread to the lymph glands. Radiotherapy will successfully treat almost all men with slow-growing testicular cancer.
