Testicular cancer symptoms

Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer and spread to other parts of the body. To learn more about how cancers start and spread, see Cancer that starts in the testicles is called testicular cancer. To understand this cancer, it helps to know about the normal structure and function of the testicles. What are testicles? Testicles (also called testes; a single testicle is called a testis) are part of the male reproductive system. The 2 organs are each normally a little smaller than a golf ball in adult males. They're held within a sac of skin called the scrotum. The scrotum hangs under the base of the penis. Testicles have 2 main functions: • They make male hormones (androgens) such as testosterone. • They make sperm, the male cells needed to fertilize a female egg cell to start a pregnancy. Sperm cells are made in long, thread-like tubes inside the testicles called seminiferous tubules. They're then stored in a small coiled tube behind each testicle called the epididymis. This is where they mature. During ejaculation, sperm cells are carried from the epididymis through the vas deferens to the seminal vesicles. There, they mix with fluids made by the vesicles, prostate gland, and other glands to form semen. This fluid then enters the urethra, the tube in the center of the penis through which both urine and semen leave the body. Types of testicular cancer The testicles are made up of many types of cells, eac...

Male reproductive system The male reproductive system makes, stores and moves sperm. Testicles produce sperm. Fluid from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland combine with sperm to make semen. The penis ejaculates semen during sexual intercourse. Testicular cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the testicles. The testicles, which are also called testes, are in the scrotum. The scrotum is a loose bag of skin underneath the penis. The testicles make sperm and the hormone testosterone. Testicular cancer isn't a common type of cancer. It can happen at any age, but it happens most often between the ages of 15 and 45. The first sign of testicular cancer often is a bump or lump on a testicle. The cancer cells can grow quickly. They often spread outside the testicle to other parts of the body. Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when it spreads to other parts of the body. Treatments depend on the type of testicular cancer that you have and how far it has spread. Common treatments include surgery and chemotherapy. Testicular lumps Pain, swelling or lumps in your testicle or groin area may be a sign or symptom of testicular cancer or other medical conditions requiring treatment. Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include: • A lump or swelling in either testicle • A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum • A dull ache in the lower belly or groin • Sudden swelling in the scrotum • Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum • Enlargement or tenderness of the breas...

Most testicular cancers present as a mass confined to the testicle. Therefore, the most common presentation is a painless testicular mass. Most of these masses are palpable and of significant size (a few to several centimeters). Small, nonpalpable lesions without pain and in the absence of distant disease have a higher likelihood of being a benign tumors. In a number of studies, upwards of 80 percent of nonpalpable, asymptomatic masses that are 2 cm or smaller will be benign tumors. Benign lesions may include testicular cysts, small infarcts or small Leydig cell or Sertoli cell tumors. Serious, acute pain is associated with rapidly growing tumors and associated hemorrhage or infarction (if the tumor outgrows its blood supply). Most patients with pain complain of dull scrotal discomfort or heaviness. Rarely, trauma can lead to a diagnosis, mostly because it brings a mass or pain to the patient's awareness. For the upwards of 30 percent of men who present with metastatic cancer, symptoms of metastases can be the presenting complaint. Bulky retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy can lead to abdominal mass; abdominal, flank or back pain due to direct invasion or obstruction of muscles, blood vessels or the ureters; lower extremity swelling if the IVC is compressed or gastrointestinal symptoms if the intestines are involved. Pulmonary metastases can present as chest pain, shortness of breath and cough. As testis cancers can lead to diminished spermatogenesis, and infertility can be th...

Testicular cancer self-exam Self-examination is key to diagnosing testicular cancer early. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center recommends that males between the ages of 15 and 50 do a testicular self-exam at home at least once a month. Doing self-checks regularly makes you more inclined to notice a change. A self-exam is easy and takes just a few minutes. You can learn here Also contact your doctor if you feel a change in a testicle. “The sooner the better. A small testis tumor has a better prognosis than a large testis tumor,” says Testicular cancer grows very rapidly. There are different types, and they are best treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, depending on the type. If you don’t have a family physician, you can call Roswell Park and be seen by one of our doctors. How do you get testicular cancer? Having a risk factor does not mean you will develop testicular cancer. Risk factors for testicular cancer include: • An undescended testicle ( cryptorchidism) or an inguinal hernia at birth • Testicles that did not develop normally • Previous testicular cancer. About 3-4% of men successfully treated for testicular cancer will develop cancer in the other testicle. • Carcinoma in situ of the testicle • An HIV infection • A family history of testicular cancer, especially in a brother or father • Testicular microlithiasis, an uncommon condition in which small clusters of calcium form in the testicles Other risk factors are your race — white men are four to five ...

Overview Testicles (testis) , scrotum and surrounding area. What is testicular cancer? Testicular cancer forms when malignant (cancer) cells develop in the tissues of one or (less commonly) both testicles. Your testicles are two walnut-shaped Like any cancer, testicle cancer is a serious condition. Fortunately, testicular cancer is highly treatable and curable. What are the types of testicular cancer? About 90% of all testicular cancer arises from germ cells in your testicles that clump together to form a mass or tumor. Germ cells eventually develop into sperm. Two types of testicular cancer arise from germ cells. • Seminoma: Slow-growing cancer that primarily affects people in their 40s or 50s. • Non-seminoma: Cancer that grows more rapidly than seminomas. It mainly affects people in their late teens, 20s and early 30s. There are four types of non-seminoma tumors. Each is named after the type of germ cell that makes up the tumor. Non-seminoma tumors include embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac carcinoma, choriocarcinoma and teratoma. Some testicular cancer tumors consist of both seminoma and non-seminoma cells. How common is testicular cancer? Testicular cancer is rare, affecting only about 1 in 250 people with testicles in their lifetimes. Still, it’s the most common cancer among people assigned male at birth aged 15 to 35. Symptoms and Causes What are the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer? The most common sign of testicular cancer is a painless lump in your testicle. Oth...

Testicular cancer is Testes are the male reproductive glands located inside the scrotum, which is the pouch of skin located underneath the penis. Testes are responsible for producing sperm and the hormone Testicular cancer can affect anyone who has testicles, including transgender and nonbinary people. Testicular cancer most often begins with changes in There are • Seminomas. These are testicular cancers that grow slowly. They’re usually confined to your testes, but your lymph nodes may also be involved. • Nonseminomas. These are the more common form of testicular cancer. This type grows faster and may spread to other parts of your body. Testicular cancer can also occur in the tissues that produce hormones. These tumors are called Testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in The overall 5-year survival rate for testicular cancer is Share on Pinterest Some people show no symptoms when receiving the diagnosis of testicular cancer. When symptoms do appear, they can • a lump in the testicle • testicular pain or discomfort • testicular swelling • lower abdominal or back pain • heaviness or aching in lower belly • enlargement of breast tissue • voice changes and facial and body hair growth in pre-pubescent people with testicles Late-stage symptoms Symptoms of advanced testicular cancer • low back pain from cancer spreading to lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen • shortness of breath • chest pain • cough • belly pain • headaches • confusion Make an appointment wi...