Testicular Cancer

TESTICULAR CANCER
NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE

Testicular cancer may be one of the less common types of the disease accounting for just one percent of all male cancers, yet it’s the single most common type to affect younger men between the ages of 15 and 45. What’s more, according to NHS statistics, it’s on the rise with an estimated 2,000 new cases every year. That’s more than double the number being diagnosed just 20 years ago.

Fortunately, testicular cancer is also one of the most treatable male cancers with a success rate as high as 96 per cent if caught early enough. In more advanced cases, where the cancer has gone undiagnosed and spread outside the testicles, this drops to around 80 per cent.

Which, while still promising, highlights just how important it is to check yourself regularly so that you can spot anything out of the ordinary sooner rather than later and speak to your GP.

Over 45?

Although most common amongst younger men, testicular cancer can still occur in older age groups, so checking yourself regularly for lumps and bumps and being aware of the other symptoms is vital whatever your age.

John’s story

helpful information

What is
testicular cancer?

Signs &
Symptoms

How to check
yourself

Diagnosing
testicular cancer

What is testicular cancer?

The testicles are the two oval-shaped male sex organs that sit inside the scrotum on either side 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.

Types of testicular cancer
The different types of testicular cancer are classified by the type of cells the cancer begins in.

The most common type of testicular cancer is “germ cell testicular cancer”, which accounts for around 95% of all cases. Germ cells are a type of cell that the body uses to create sperm.

There are two main subtypes of germ cell testicular cancer. They are:

seminomas – which have become more common in the last 20 years and now account for 50-55% of testicular cancers
non-seminomas – which account for most of the rest and include teratomas, embryonal carcinomas, choriocarcinomas and yolk sac tumours

Both types tend to respond well to chemotherapy.

Less common types of testicular cancer include:

Leydig cell tumours – which account for around 1-3% of cases
Sertoli cell tumours – which account for around 1% of cases
Lymphoma – which accounts for around 4% of cases

Read more about Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Information sourced from the NHS website.

Remember, if in doubt, visit your GP. It could save your life.

Signs & Symptoms

The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump or swelling in one of your testicles.

The lump or swelling can be about the size of a pea, but may be larger.

Most lumps or swellings in the scrotum aren’t in the testicle and aren’t a sign of cancer. But they should never be ignored. Visit your GP as soon as you notice a lump or swelling in your scrotum.

Associated symptoms
Testicular cancer can also cause other symptoms, including a:

dull ache or sharp pain in your testicles or scrotum, which may come and go
feeling of heaviness in your scrotum
change in the texture or increase in firmness of a testicle
difference between one testicle and the other

How to Check Yourself

No one knows your own body better than you do and by getting into the habit of checking your testicles regularly you’ll soon get to know what feels normal for you, making it more likely that you’ll spot anything unusual at an early stage.

It only takes a few minutes to check your testicles and doctors recommend you do it at least once a month, ideally during or after a shower or bath when the skin will be warm and relaxed.

NHS Choices advises taking the pouch of skin containing the testicles (or scrotum, to give it its Sunday name) in the palm of your hands then using your fingers and thumb gently press on and around each testicle.

It’s normal for testicles to feel smooth and firm to the touch. It’s also normal for testicles to differ in size slightly or for one to hang lower than the other. So you’re looking for lumps or bumps, anything out of the ordinary or any unusual differences between the two.

If you do find anything unusual remember that most lumps are caused by other conditions unrelated to cancer, but always get it checked out by your GP to make absolutely sure.

Diagnosing Testicular Cancer

The earlier testicular cancer is found, the better your chances of beating it, underlining how important it is to check yourself regularly and get anything out of the ordinary seen to by your GP.

Research has shown that less than four per cent of testicular lumps are cancerous but it’s still important to get it checked. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to your GP, you can go to your local sexual health clinic where a professional will examine you. You can find your local clinic by clicking here.

Usually, your GP or health professional will ask about your symptoms and medical history, then carry out a physical examination of your testicles. This will help determine whether the lump may be cancerous or whether it’s one of the more common, less serious causes of testicular lumps.

If the exact cause of the lump or swelling is still unclear you will be referred to your nearest hospital to see a specialist for further tests. These can range from a simple ultrasound or blood test to a biopsy, x-ray or scan, and will help determine whether the lump is cancerous and if so, the exact type and stage of the cancer.

To read more about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer click here.