• Testicular cancer is common among young men.
• Usually a painless lump is present.
• Ultrasound scans and blood tests are done.
• The testis is removed, and sometimes radiation therapy or chemotherapy is given.

Most testicular cancers develop in men younger than age 40. It is one of the most common cancers in young men. Among the types of cancer that develop in the testes are seminoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma, and choriocarcinoma.

The cause of testicular cancer is not known, but men whose testes did not descend into the scrotum (cryptorchidism—see Miscellaneous Disorders in Infants and Young Children: Undescended and Retractile Testes) by age 3 have a greater chance of developing testicular cancer than do men whose testes descended by that age. Cryptorchidism is best corrected surgically in childhood. Correcting cryptorchidism decreases the risk of testicular cancer. However, even if cryptorchidism is corrected, the risk of cancer is still higher than for men who never had cryptorchidism. Sometimes in adults, doctors recommend removal of a single undescended testis to reduce the risk of cancer.

Symptoms

Testicular cancer may cause an enlarged testis or a lump. A testis normally feels like a smooth oval, with the epididymis attached behind and on top. Testicular cancer produces a firm, growing lump in or attached to the testis. With cancer, the testis loses its normal shape, becoming large, irregular, or bumpy. Although testicular cancer is usually painless, the testis or lump may hurt when lightly touched and may even hurt without being touched. A firm lump on the testis requires prompt medical attention. Occasionally, blood vessels rupture within the tumor, yielding a suddenly enlarged, severely painful swelling.

Diagnosis

Physical examination and ultrasound scanning may indicate whether a lump is part of the testis and whether it is solid (and thus more likely to be cancer) or filled with fluid (cystic). Determining the blood levels of two proteins, alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin, may help in making the diagnosis. The levels of these proteins often increase in men with testicular cancer. If cancer is suspected, surgery to remove the testis is done promptly. Most doctors recommend testicular self-examination.

Did You Know... Loss of one testis does not impair sex drive or the ability to have children or erections.

Treatment

The initial treatment for testicular cancer is surgical removal of the entire affected testis (radical orchiectomy). An artificial testis (prosthesis) can be placed if the man desires. The other testis is not removed, so men retain adequate levels of male hormones and remain fertile. Infertility sometimes occurs in men with testicular cancer, but fertility may return after treatment.

With certain types of cancers, lymph nodes in the abdomen are also removed (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) because the cancer often spreads there first. Radiation therapy may also help, especially for a seminoma.

A combination of surgery and chemotherapy often cures testicular cancer that has spread. Blood levels of alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin that were elevated at diagnosis decline after successful treatment. If levels rise after treatment, the cancer may have recurred.

The prognosis for men with testicular cancer depends on the type and extent of the cancer but is usually excellent if the cancer has not spread. Even if the cancer has spread, cure is sometimes possible.

Last full review/revision October 2008 by Paul D. Lui, MD