Testicular Cancer Symptoms
CancerTesticular Cancer

Testicular Cancer Symptoms

Testicular Cancer Symptoms
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Updated on October 31, 2024
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Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the testicles, which are the male reproductive glands located in the scrotum.

 Though considered more rare than other types of cancer, testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in men between ages 15 and 45.

Because testicular cancer is often treated successfully, the survival rate for this disease is higher than with many other types of cancer. It’s also not common for this cancer to have spread by the time a person seeks medical help.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer can help you get an early diagnosis and a jump on treatment, which greatly improves your chances of recovery.

 Testicular cancer has a 95 percent five-year survival rate.

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer

The first sign of testicular cancer is often a painless lump in the testicle or a swollen or larger testicle. But it’s not rare for one testicle to be larger than the other. It’s only a symptom if the change in size feels more pronounced than it usually does.

 In most cases, a lump or swelling in your testicle isn’t cancer. Infections or injuries can also cause similar symptoms.

Other possible symptoms of testicular cancer include:

  • Pain or discomfort in the testicle, sometimes described as a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
  • A change in how the testicle feels
  • A dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen
Some rare forms of testicular cancer may also cause other symptoms, such as:

  • Loss of sexual desire
  • Enlarged breast growth, also known as gynecomastia
  • Very early signs of puberty in young boys, like a deepened voice and facial hair
If the cancerous cells have advanced and spread to other organs in the body, it can cause these additional symptoms:

  • Lower back pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headaches and confusion, if the cancer has reached the brain
  • Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands and feet, if the cancer has spread to the spinal cord
  • Breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough, if the cancer has spread to the lungs

Types of Testicular Cancer

There are two main types of testicular cancer: seminomas and nonseminomas. They can exist together. Both types usually originate in the germ cells, which are the cells in the testicles that eventually develop into sperm.

Seminomas

These are slow-growing cancerous tumors that tend to affect men in their forties and fifties. These cancers may spread to the lymph nodes, but they usually respond well to radiation therapy.

Nonseminomas

Nonseminomas are cancerous tumors that are more common and spread faster than seminomas. This type tends to affect older teens and younger men under age 30.

Nonseminomas are usually made up of different types of cells, and experts classify them based on these different cell types. The subtypes of nonseminomas are:

  • Choriocarcinoma
  • Embryonal carcinoma
  • Teratoma
  • Yolk sac tumor

Potential Complications of Testicular Cancer

The prognosis for testicular cancer is excellent if a person is diagnosed and starts treatment soon after it’s detected.

 But testicular cancer can spread to other parts of the body if it’s not caught early. When it spreads — also known as metastasis — it can reach the:

  • Brain and spinal cord
  • Liver
  • Lungs
  • Bone
  • Area in the back of the abdominal cavity known as the retroperitoneal area
Complications from surgical removal of the tumor and other types of cancer treatment are also possible. These include:

  • Bleeding from surgery
  • Infection from surgery
  • Infertility, if the testicles are removed
  • Nerve damage from cancer treatment
  • Kidney damage from cancer treatment
  • Inner ear damage from cancer treatment

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor right away if you notice a lump or swelling in your testicle.

 While the chance of a cancer diagnosis is typically low, it’s important to get prompt treatment for any potential issues.

The Takeaway

  • Testicular cancer develops in the tissues of the testicles, which are part of the male reproductive system. The most common symptoms are a lump or swelling in your testicle, but cancer is not the only reason these symptoms may occur.
  • There are two different types of testicular cancer: seminomas and nonseminomas. Both types originate in the germ cells, which are the cells in the testicles that eventually develop into sperm.
  • If you feel a mass or change in how one or both of your testicles feel, see a healthcare professional right away.

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Daniel Landau, MD, is a distinguished board-certified hematologist-oncologist with a career that has spanned two eminent institutions: the Orlando Health Cancer Institute and the M...

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Resources
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  5. Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer. American Cancer Society. May 2018.
  6. Testicular Lumps and Swellings. NHS Inform. May 2024.
  7. Testicular Germ Cell Cancer. National Institutes of Health.