Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that's found in the testicles.
About Testicular cancer
The testicles are the two oval-shaped male sex organs that sit inside the scrotum at the base of the penis. The testicles are an important part of the male reproductive system because they produce sperm and the hormone testosterone, which plays a major role in male sexual development.
Cancer of the testes is one of the less common cancers and tends to mostly affect men aged between 15 and 49 years.
What to expect from your initial appointments
You will usually be referred for a testicular ultrasound scan prior to a review with a urology specialist to discuss the results.
What to expect from diagnostic tests and investigations
Testicular ultrasound
This is a painless procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce an image of the inside of your testicle. It is one of the main ways of finding out whether a lump is cancerous.
Blood tests
To help confirm a diagnosis, you may need a series of blood tests to detect certain hormones in your blood, known as markers. Testicular cancer often produces these markers.
CT scan
CT scans take pictures of your body. If testicular cancer is suspected you will have a chest, abdomen and pelvis CT. This normally takes around 10 minutes.
Treatment options for Testicular cancer
Orchidectomy
The removal of a testicle is called an orchidectomy. This will be performed as a day case, which means that you will go home the same day as your surgery.
Removal of lymph nodes
If your cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the back of your tummy (abdomen) you may need a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.
Chemotherapy
This is a drug treatment which is used to try and destroy cancer cells, reduce the risk of cancer coming back, or stop the cancer cells from spreading. Some patients will receive chemotherapy on its own, others will receive it followed by radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a treatment where radiation is used to destroy cancer cells. For patients with testicular cancer, this is given after chemotherapy.
More information about treatment for Endometrial (womb) cancer
Living with and beyond cancer
After completing your cancer treatment If you have any symptoms or concerns contact your clinical nurse specialist and your GP.