Testicular Cancer

What is it?

Testicular cancer is cancer that begins in the testicle (most people assigned male at birth are born with two testicles). It is rare and most often seen in young people. Although people with testicles may develop testicular cancer at any age, rates are highest among people ages 20–39.

Testicular cancer is usually curable when found early and treated appropriately; treatment is often successful even at later stages.

A group of multi-racial people in their 20s hanging out and laughing.

Get checked

If you have testicles, follow these screening guidelines:

All ages: Testicular check

Ask your health care provider to examine your testicles as part of your routine physical exam.

All ages: Self-exam

Talk with your health care provider about the testicular self-exam. It is one way to get to know what is normal for you. If you notice a change, see your health care provider right away.

Know your risk

If you have testicles, you are at increased risk for testicular cancer if you:

Had an undescended testicle at birth or other abnormal development of the testes.
Have a personal or family history of testicular cancer.
Are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Are white.

Reduce your risk

You may reduce your risk for testicular cancer through certain checks or corrections:

Check your testicles.

Ask your health care provider to examine your testicles as part of your routine physical exam and talk with your health care provider about the testicular self-exam.

Undescended testicle: Talk to your doctor

If you have a child who was born with an undescended testicle, talk with your health care provider about correcting it before your child reaches puberty.

Signs & symptoms

Talk with your health care provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:

A painless lump, enlargement or swelling in either testicle
A change in how the testicle feels
Dull aching in the lower abdomen, back or groin
Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
Sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer and your medical condition.

Surgery

Surgery to remove the cancer (orchiectomy) is the most common treatment option for testicular cancer.

Chemotherapy

This is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It may be used alone or in combination with another therapy before or after surgery.

Radiation therapy

This treatment uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It may be used alone or in combination with another therapy before or after surgery.

5 years after testicular cancer diagnosis, AGDQ’s Keizaron is cancer-free

Resources from the Foundation helped him know what to look for.

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