What is Testicular Cancer?
Testicular cancer most often begins in germ cells (cells that make sperm). Most testicular cancers can be cured with treatment, even if diagnosed at an advanced stage.
Testicular Cancer Risk Factors and Symptoms
Testicular cancer mainly affects men between the ages of 20 and 34. Factors that may increase a man’s risk of developing testicular cancer are:
- Abnormal testicle development
- History of an undescended testicle
- A family history of the cancer
Symptoms include pain, swelling, or lumps in your testicles or groin area. If you experience any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor.
Testicular Self-Exam
A testicular self-exam is done to check for testicular cancer. Learn how to perform a testicular self-exam, why you should perform one, and what the results mean.
Testicular Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors use a physical exam, lab tests, imaging tests, and a biopsy to diagnose testicular cancer. Most cases can be treated, especially if found early. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy. Regular exams after treatment are important.
Treatments may also cause infertility. If you may want children at a later time, you should consider sperm banking before treatment. This is a process of freezing sperm and storing it for future use.