BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuTesticular cancerCancer - testes; Germ cell tumor; Seminoma testicular cancer; Nonseminoma testicular cancer; Testicular neoplasmTesticular cancer is cancer that starts in the testicles. The testicles are the male reproductive glands located in the scrotum. Causes The exact cause of testicular cancer is poorly understood. Factors that may increase a man's risk of developing testicular cancer are: Abnormal testicle development Exposure to certain chemicals Family history of testicular cancer HIV infection HIV infectionAsymptomatic HIV infection is the second stage of HIV/AIDS. During this stage, there are no symptoms of HIV infection. This stage is also called ch...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article History of testicular cancer History of an undescended testicle (one or both testicles fail to move into the scrotum before birth) Undescended testicleUndescended testicle occurs when one or both testicles fail to move into the scrotum before birth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Klinefelter syndrome Klinefelter syndromeKlinefelter syndrome, also called 47,XXY, is a genetic condition that occurs in males when they have an extra X chromosome. This can cause problems ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infertility InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tobacco use Down syndromeDown syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young and middle-aged men. It can also occur in older men, and in rare cases, in younger boys.White men are more likely than African American and Asian American men to develop this type of cancer.There is no link between vasectomy and testicular cancer.VasectomyA vasectomy is surgery to cut the vas deferens. These are the tubes that carry a sperm from testicles to the urethra. After a vasectomy, sperm cann...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article There are two main types of testicular cancer:Seminomas NonseminomasThese cancers grow from germ cells, the cells that make sperm.Seminoma: This is a slow-growing form of testicular cancer found in men in their 40s and 50s. The cancer is in the testes, but it can spread to the lymph nodes. Lymph node involvement is either treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Seminomas are very sensitive to radiation therapy.Nonseminoma: This more common type of testicular cancer tends to grow more quickly than seminomas.Nonseminoma tumors are often made up of more than one type of cell, and are identified according to these different cell types:Choriocarcinoma (rare) ChoriocarcinomaChoriocarcinoma is a fast-growing cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus (womb). The abnormal cells start in the tissue that would normally become t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Embryonal carcinoma Teratoma TeratomaA teratoma is a type of cancer that contains one or more of the three layers of cells found in a developing baby (embryo). These cells are called ge...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Yolk sac tumorA stromal tumor is a rare type of testicular tumor. They are usually not cancerous. The two main types of stromal tumors are Leydig cell tumors and Sertoli cell tumors. Stromal tumors usually occur during childhood. Symptoms There may be no symptoms. The cancer may look like a painless mass in the testes. If there are symptoms, they may include: Discomfort or pain in the testicle, or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum Pain in the back or lower abdomen Enlarged testicle or a change in the way it feels Excess amount of breast tissue (gynecomastia), however this can occur normally in adolescent boys who do not have testicular cancer GynecomastiaWhen abnormal breast tissue develops in males, it is called gynecomastia. It is important to find out if the excess growth is breast tissue and not ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lump or swelling in either testicleSymptoms in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, abdomen, pelvis, back, or brain, may also occur if the cancer has spread outside the testicles. Exams and Tests A physical examination typically reveals a firm lump (mass) in one of the testicles. When the health care provider holds a flashlight up to the scrotum, the light does not pass through the lump. This exam is called transillumination.TransilluminationTransillumination is the shining of a light through a body area or organ to check for abnormalities.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests include:Abdominal and pelvic CT scan Abdominal and pelvic CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests for tumor markers: alpha fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta HCG), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ultrasound of the scrotum Ultrasound of the scrotumScrotal ultrasound is an imaging test that looks at the scrotum. The scrotum is the flesh-covered sac that hangs between the legs at the base of the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bone scan and head CT scan (to look for the spread of cancer to the bones and head) Bone scanA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Head CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI brainMRI brainA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment depends on the:Type of testicular tumor Stage of the tumorOnce cancer is found, the first step is to determine the type of cancer cell by examining it under a microscope. The cells can be seminoma, nonseminoma, or both.The next step is to determine how far the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This is called "staging."Stage I cancer has not spread beyond the testicle. Stage II cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen. Stage III cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes (it could be as far as the liver, lungs, or brain).Three types of treatment can be used.Surgical treatment removes the testicle (orchiectomy). Radiation therapy using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays may be used after surgery to prevent the tumor from returning. Radiation therapy is usually only used for treating seminomas. Radiation therapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells. This treatment has greatly improved survival for people with both seminomas and nonseminomas.ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Support Groups Joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems can often help the stress of illness.Support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society -- www. cancer. orgAmerican Childhood Cancer Organiz...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable and curable cancers.The survival rate for men with early-stage seminoma (the least aggressive type of testicular cancer) is greater than 95%. The disease-free survival rate for Stage II and III cancers is slightly lower, depending on the size of the tumor and when treatment is begun. Possible Complications Testicular cancer may spread to other parts of the body. The most common sites include the:Liver Lungs Retroperitoneal area (the area near the kidneys behind the other organs in the belly area) Brain BoneComplications of surgery can include:Bleeding and infection after surgery Infertility (if both testicles are removed)Testicular cancer survivors are at increased risk of developing:Second malignant tumors (second cancer occurring at different place in the body that develops after the treatment of first cancer) Heart diseases Metabolic syndromeMetabolic syndromeMetabolic syndrome is a name for a group of risk factors that occur together and increase the chance of having coronary artery disease, stroke, and t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Also, long-term complications in cancer survivors may include:Peripheral neuropathy Peripheral neuropathyPeripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals to and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Peripheral n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Damage to the inner ear from medicines used to treat the cancerIf you think you may want to have children in the future, ask your provider about methods to save your sperm for use at a later date. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if you have symptoms of testicular cancer. Prevention Performing a testicular self-examination (TSE) each month may help detect testicular cancer at an early stage, before it spreads. Finding testicular cancer early is important for successful treatment and survival. However, testicular cancer screening is not recommended for the general population in the United States.Testicular self-examination (TSE)Testicular self-exam is an examination of the testicles that you do on yourself.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesEinhorn LH. Testicular cancer. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 190.Friedlander TW, Small EJ. Testicular cancer. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 83.National Cancer Institute website. Testicular cancer treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/testicular/hp/testicular-treatment-pdq#section/_85. Updated February 11, 2022. Accessed June 28, 2022.AllVideoImagesTogMale reproductive anatomy - illustration The male reproductive structures include the penis, the scrotum, the testicles (testes), the epididymis, the seminal vesicles, and the prostate.Male reproductive anatomyillustrationMale reproductive system - illustration The male reproductive system, viewed from a sagittal section.Male reproductive systemillustrationMale reproductive anatomy - illustration The male reproductive structures include the penis, the scrotum, the testicles (testes), the epididymis, the seminal vesicles, and the prostate.Male reproductive anatomyillustrationMale reproductive system - illustration The male reproductive system, viewed from a sagittal section.Male reproductive systemillustration Tests for Testicular cancer Testicular self-examRelated Information Chemotherapy - what to ask your doctor(Doctor Questions)Radiation therapy - questions to ask your doctor(Doctor Questions) Review Date: 4/29/2022 Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. 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Testicular cancerCancer - testes; Germ cell tumor; Seminoma testicular cancer; Nonseminoma testicular cancer; Testicular neoplasmTesticular cancer is cancer that starts in the testicles. The testicles are the male reproductive glands located in the scrotum. Causes The exact cause of testicular cancer is poorly understood. Factors that may increase a man's risk of developing testicular cancer are: Abnormal testicle development Exposure to certain chemicals Family history of testicular cancer HIV infection HIV infectionAsymptomatic HIV infection is the second stage of HIV/AIDS. During this stage, there are no symptoms of HIV infection. This stage is also called ch...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article History of testicular cancer History of an undescended testicle (one or both testicles fail to move into the scrotum before birth) Undescended testicleUndescended testicle occurs when one or both testicles fail to move into the scrotum before birth.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Klinefelter syndrome Klinefelter syndromeKlinefelter syndrome, also called 47,XXY, is a genetic condition that occurs in males when they have an extra X chromosome. This can cause problems ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infertility InfertilityInfertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive). There are 2 types of infertility:Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become preg...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tobacco use Down syndromeDown syndromeDown syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young and middle-aged men. It can also occur in older men, and in rare cases, in younger boys.White men are more likely than African American and Asian American men to develop this type of cancer.There is no link between vasectomy and testicular cancer.VasectomyA vasectomy is surgery to cut the vas deferens. These are the tubes that carry a sperm from testicles to the urethra. After a vasectomy, sperm cann...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article There are two main types of testicular cancer:Seminomas NonseminomasThese cancers grow from germ cells, the cells that make sperm.Seminoma: This is a slow-growing form of testicular cancer found in men in their 40s and 50s. The cancer is in the testes, but it can spread to the lymph nodes. Lymph node involvement is either treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Seminomas are very sensitive to radiation therapy.Nonseminoma: This more common type of testicular cancer tends to grow more quickly than seminomas.Nonseminoma tumors are often made up of more than one type of cell, and are identified according to these different cell types:Choriocarcinoma (rare) ChoriocarcinomaChoriocarcinoma is a fast-growing cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus (womb). The abnormal cells start in the tissue that would normally become t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Embryonal carcinoma Teratoma TeratomaA teratoma is a type of cancer that contains one or more of the three layers of cells found in a developing baby (embryo). These cells are called ge...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Yolk sac tumorA stromal tumor is a rare type of testicular tumor. They are usually not cancerous. The two main types of stromal tumors are Leydig cell tumors and Sertoli cell tumors. Stromal tumors usually occur during childhood. Symptoms There may be no symptoms. The cancer may look like a painless mass in the testes. If there are symptoms, they may include: Discomfort or pain in the testicle, or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum Pain in the back or lower abdomen Enlarged testicle or a change in the way it feels Excess amount of breast tissue (gynecomastia), however this can occur normally in adolescent boys who do not have testicular cancer GynecomastiaWhen abnormal breast tissue develops in males, it is called gynecomastia. It is important to find out if the excess growth is breast tissue and not ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lump or swelling in either testicleSymptoms in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, abdomen, pelvis, back, or brain, may also occur if the cancer has spread outside the testicles. Exams and Tests A physical examination typically reveals a firm lump (mass) in one of the testicles. When the health care provider holds a flashlight up to the scrotum, the light does not pass through the lump. This exam is called transillumination.TransilluminationTransillumination is the shining of a light through a body area or organ to check for abnormalities.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests include:Abdominal and pelvic CT scan Abdominal and pelvic CT scanAn abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests for tumor markers: alpha fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta HCG), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ultrasound of the scrotum Ultrasound of the scrotumScrotal ultrasound is an imaging test that looks at the scrotum. The scrotum is the flesh-covered sac that hangs between the legs at the base of the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bone scan and head CT scan (to look for the spread of cancer to the bones and head) Bone scanA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Head CT scanA head computed tomography (CT) scan uses many x-rays to create pictures of the head, including the skull, brain, eye sockets, and sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI brainMRI brainA head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the brain and surrounding...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment depends on the:Type of testicular tumor Stage of the tumorOnce cancer is found, the first step is to determine the type of cancer cell by examining it under a microscope. The cells can be seminoma, nonseminoma, or both.The next step is to determine how far the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This is called "staging."Stage I cancer has not spread beyond the testicle. Stage II cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen. Stage III cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes (it could be as far as the liver, lungs, or brain).Three types of treatment can be used.Surgical treatment removes the testicle (orchiectomy). Radiation therapy using high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays may be used after surgery to prevent the tumor from returning. Radiation therapy is usually only used for treating seminomas. Radiation therapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chemotherapy uses medicines to kill cancer cells. This treatment has greatly improved survival for people with both seminomas and nonseminomas.ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Support Groups Joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems can often help the stress of illness.Support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society -- www. cancer. orgAmerican Childhood Cancer Organiz...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable and curable cancers.The survival rate for men with early-stage seminoma (the least aggressive type of testicular cancer) is greater than 95%. The disease-free survival rate for Stage II and III cancers is slightly lower, depending on the size of the tumor and when treatment is begun. Possible Complications Testicular cancer may spread to other parts of the body. The most common sites include the:Liver Lungs Retroperitoneal area (the area near the kidneys behind the other organs in the belly area) Brain BoneComplications of surgery can include:Bleeding and infection after surgery Infertility (if both testicles are removed)Testicular cancer survivors are at increased risk of developing:Second malignant tumors (second cancer occurring at different place in the body that develops after the treatment of first cancer) Heart diseases Metabolic syndromeMetabolic syndromeMetabolic syndrome is a name for a group of risk factors that occur together and increase the chance of having coronary artery disease, stroke, and t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Also, long-term complications in cancer survivors may include:Peripheral neuropathy Peripheral neuropathyPeripheral nerves carry information to and from the brain. They also carry signals to and from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. Peripheral n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Damage to the inner ear from medicines used to treat the cancerIf you think you may want to have children in the future, ask your provider about methods to save your sperm for use at a later date. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if you have symptoms of testicular cancer. Prevention Performing a testicular self-examination (TSE) each month may help detect testicular cancer at an early stage, before it spreads. Finding testicular cancer early is important for successful treatment and survival. However, testicular cancer screening is not recommended for the general population in the United States.Testicular self-examination (TSE)Testicular self-exam is an examination of the testicles that you do on yourself.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesEinhorn LH. Testicular cancer. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 190.Friedlander TW, Small EJ. Testicular cancer. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 83.National Cancer Institute website. Testicular cancer treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/testicular/hp/testicular-treatment-pdq#section/_85. Updated February 11, 2022. Accessed June 28, 2022.