Understanding Testicular Cancer | Types | Symptoms | Diagnosing | Causes of Testicular Cancer | Resources
Each year about 9,000 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with testicular cancer. Most are under age 35, though the disease can affect boys and men at any age.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers comprehensive treatment for testicular cancer from a team of experts.
Cancer occurs when cells begin to grow abnormally. They do not respond to regular cell growth, division and death signals like they are supposed to. They also don’t organize normally. Instead they grow into a tumor, which may break through surrounding layers of cells.
Testicular cancer occurs in the cells of one or both testicles. Sometimes called testes, these oval-shaped glands are inside the sac of skin (scrotum) directly behind the penis. Testicles make male hormones and produce sperm.
Because there are different types of cells in the testicles, there are different types of testicular cancer, and they are treated differently.
The cells that make sperm are called germ cells. Most testicular cancers begin as one of two types of germ-cell tumors: seminoma or nonseminoma. A third type of testicular tumor is called a stromal tumor.
Cancer that starts somewhere else in your body can spread to your testicles and form tumors there. These are called secondary tumors. They are the most common form of cancer in the testicles in men over 50. Treatment depends on the type of cancer and often involves surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The most common testicular cancer symptom is a lump in one of your testicles. Sometimes a man finds a lump during a self-exam, or your physician may find a suspicious lump during a physical before you notice anything yourself.
If you have any of these symptoms, see your physician to look into the reason:
Fred Hutch experts offer comprehensive care for testicular cancer, including advanced treatments.
Your physician will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam, including feeling your testicles for lumps or swelling and your abdomen for enlarged lymph nodes.
Next, you will have a series of tests, such as blood tests and one or more imaging tests, like an ultrasound, X-ray or computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
If your physician believes you have testicular cancer based on your exam and tests, they will likely recommend surgery to remove the testicle. Then a pathologist will check tissue from the tumor under a microscope to confirm the presence of cancer and give you and your team details about the type and extent.
Physicians don’t know the exact cause of testicular cancer. Research is ongoing to learn more about the possible causes and risk factors.
While testicular cancer can occur at any age, it is most often a disease of young men. Men between the ages of 20 and 34 are at higher risk.
For reasons that scientists do not understand, white men are more likely to develop testicular cancer than African-American, Asian or Hispanic men.
The following factors may also increase your risk; however, many men with testicular cancer do not have any of these risk factors.
There are many resources online for learning about your disease. We’ve compiled a list of trusted sources to help you get started.
If you or your caregiver are seeking additional information or resources, Fred Hutch Patient and Family Resource Center is available to help connect you with what you need.
American Cancer Society (ACS): Overview of Testicular Cancer
If you have testicular cancer or are a caregiver for someone who does, knowing what to expect can be helpful. Here you can find out all about testicular cancer in adults, including risk factors, symptoms and how they are found and treated.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): Guide to Testicular Cancer
This is ASCO's Guide to testicular cancer. Here you can learn more about testicular cancer, treatment, the latest research and clinical trials.
ASCO Answers: Testicular Cancer
ASCO Answers is a collection of oncologist-approved patient education materials developed by ASCO for people with cancer and their caregivers. Here you can find illustrations and information on testicular cancer.
CancerCare: Testicular Cancer
CancerCare provides free, professional support services for people affected by testicular cancer, as well as treatment information and additional resources.
(NCI): Testicular Cancer - Patient Version
The NCI is the federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training. Here you can find more information about treatment, research and coping with testicular cancer.