• Symptoms
• Risk factors
• How is testicular cancer diagnosed?

• How to reduce your risk
• Factsheet information
• What is the Cobalt Appeal Fund doing?

Unlike most other cancers, testicular cancer affects young men and is the most common cancer in the 15 to 44 age group. In 2004 there were 1,958 new cases in the UK. When detected early testicular cancer is 99% curable and even when the disease has spread the cure rate is high. However, treatments are easier and give a higher chance of success when the disease is diagnosed at an early stage.

Symptoms

• a hard painless lump on the front or side of either testicle
• swelling or enlargement of a testicle
• a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
• a dull ache in the scrotum or the groin
• collection of fluid in the scrotum
• pain or discomfort in the testicle or scrotum

• backache
• stomach ache
• breathlessness
• a persistent dry cough
• tender nipples

• Undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), particularly if the problem was not surgically corrected in childhood. 10% of patients with testicular cancer have undescended testes. The incidence of undescended testicles has increased by 60 per cent since 1960.
• Men between the ages of 15 and 44 are most at risk.
• Testicular cancer is more common among those in higher income groups than lower ones and more common among white men than black men.
• Becoming infected with the HIV virus, particularly if AIDS has developed will increase the risk of developing testicular cancer.
• Having a close relative who has had testicular cancer increases the risk of getting the disease. Inherited genetic factors may play a role in one in five testicular cancers.
• Boys who mature early have a higher testicular cancer risk. This may be due to high hormone levels early in development.

• An ultrasound test can help distinguish between cancer and lumps due to other causes. A urine and blood test can also be helpful. However, the only way to confirm that a swelling is cancer, and to determine the type of cancer, is to remove the affected testicle and examine it under the microscope.
• Surgical removal of the testicle (orchidectomy) is carried out under general anaesthetic. If the cancer has not spread beyond the testicle this may be the only treatment needed, although regular check-ups will be needed for several years after this operation.
• Blood tests and body scans (either X-ray or magnetic) are needed to test whether the testicular cancer has spread to other parts of the body. A lymphogram may also be carried out to check for spread to the lymph nodes.

• Detect the disease while it is still in the early stages. Boys should start to check their testicles from puberty onwards on a regular basis.

• know what is normal for you
• know what changes (symptoms) to look for
• report any changes without delay

• There is no screening programme for testicular cancer, but self-examination is effective. For information on how to examine your testicles and what to look out for ring us on 01242 535900 and ask for the leaflet: Testicular cancer – reducing your risks.
• The cancer prevention team go into schools and talk to young men about the importance of checking their bodies for changes and what changes (symptoms) they need to report to their doctor.