6 facts about testicular cancer
Testicular cancer — it’s not a disease that’s often in the spotlight, yet according to the American Cancer Society, nearly 10,000 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer this year. As with most cancers, early detection can lead to better outcomes. But many men are unaware of the signs of this disease or put off going to their doctor if they notice something abnormal, like a bump or lump on their testicle.
“Many men just assume it will get better on its own,” says Douglas Sutherland, MD, FACS, a urologist with MultiCare. “They may not come in until months later when a small lump has progressed into something bigger. However, testicular cancer is easier to treat the earlier we find it. And in some cases, we may even be able to tell you that what you are experiencing isn’t cancer at all.”
How much do you know about testicular cancer? Here are six facts that might surprise you.
Fact 1: Testicular cancer tends to affect younger, rather than older, men. Most forms of this cancer begin in germ cells — specialized cells in the testes (or testicles) that will eventually develop into sperm when they mature. While this disease can affect men at any age, it’s most common in men between the ages of 15 and 35. In fact, the average age of men diagnosed with testicular cancer is 33.
Fact 2: A big risk factor is an undescended testicle. In utero, the testicles typically descend, or move, from the belly to the scrotum before birth. However, in about 3 percent of men this does not happen, meaning the testicle remains in the belly or groin area and sometimes must be surgically brought down. The risk of testicular cancer is higher for men who have had an undescended testicle.
Fact 3: Marijuana use may up your risk of testicular cancer. There is an association between marijuana use and testicular cancer.
“Two meta-analyses, which are reviews of many different studies, found an approximately twofold increase in the risk of non-seminoma germ cell tumors — a type of testicular cancer,” says Deepjot Singh, MD, medical director of Cancer & Blood Specialty Centers at Deaconess Hospital. “This increase in risk was found among those using marijuana at least weekly or for more than 10 years.”
Other risk factors for testicular cancer include premature birth; however, most men with testicular cancer do not have any of these known risk factors.
Fact 4: The most common symptom is a painless, hard lump in one testicle. Most men don’t experience pain or discomfort, so you may not notice a lump at first unless you look for it.
“This is why it’s important to be aware of what’s normal for your body — how your testicles typically look and feel. If you notice a change, then contact your doctor right away,” says Dr. Sutherland.
Other symptoms of testicular cancer include swelling in the testicle as well as a dull ache or heaviness in the lower belly or groin area.
Fact 5: Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even curable. Testicular cancer is diagnosed via ultrasound. Your doctors may perform tests such as a chest X-ray and a CT scan to ensure the cancer hasn’t spread. Typically, treatment involves surgery to remove the testicle. Chemotherapy and radiation may also be needed depending on the stage of the cancer.
“Testicular cancer is one of the great success stories in oncology,” says Dr. Sutherland. “The cure rate for this disease approaches 100 percent with modern therapy. A big advantage of early detection is that you’re much more likely to need less treatment.”
Fact 6: Fertility and appearance need not be lost following surgery. The idea of losing a testicle is understandably distressing for multiple reasons. Some men choose to have a prosthetic testicle (filled with saline) surgically implanted, which can alleviate apprehensions about appearance. In addition to cosmetic worries, fertility is often a prime concern.
“Whenever possible, we take a baseline sperm count and perform sperm banking, where sperm is collected and preserved, prior to the diagnosing and staging process,” says Dr. Singh. “Sperm banking, also known as semen cryopreservation, is an option for all men prior to starting cancer therapy if they wish to preserve fertility.”
Learn more about testicular and other urologic cancers.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in April 2022 and updated in November 2022.
