If you notice any of the symptoms of testicular cancer, it is important that you see a doctor.

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

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Dearnaley DP, Huddart RA, Horwich A.
Managing testicular cancer.
BMJ. 2001; 322: 1583-1588.

 

 

 

 

 

¹ The lump will usually feel hard. Lumps range from only a few millimeters in size to several centimeters.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Bosl GJ, Sheinfeld J, Bajorin DF, et al.
Chaper 35: cancer of the testis.
In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA (editors). Cancer: principles and practice of oncology. 6th edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

²

But testicular cancer doesn't always feel like a lump. Some men find that one testicle has gotten bigger or smaller.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Dearnaley DP, Huddart RA, Horwich A.
Managing testicular cancer.
BMJ. 2001; 322: 1583-1588.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network.
Management of adult testicular germ cell tumours.
September 1998. Guideline 28. Available at http://www.sign.ac.uk/guidelines/fulltext/28 (accessed on 1 June 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

³ Some find that one testicle feels firmer than the other.

When you examine your testicles, you'll be able to feel a soft cord or tube at the back of each testicle.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Martini FH.
Chapter 28: the reproductive system.
In: Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. 5th edition. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, U.S.A.; 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

⁴ And one testicle will probably hang slightly lower than the other. These things are normal and nothing to worry about.

Some men don't get any pain from the lump in their testicle.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Bosl GJ, Sheinfeld J, Bajorin DF, et al.
Chaper 35: cancer of the testis.
In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA (editors). Cancer: principles and practice of oncology. 6th edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

² So, you shouldn't ignore a lump just because it doesn't hurt. But some men get pain, or an aching or "dragging" feeling.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Dearnaley DP, Huddart RA, Horwich A.
Managing testicular cancer.
BMJ. 2001; 322: 1583-1588.

 

 

 

 

 

¹

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Bosl GJ, Sheinfeld J, Bajorin DF, et al.
Chaper 35: cancer of the testis.
In: DeVita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA (editors). Cancer: principles and practice of oncology. 6th edition. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, U.S.A.; 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

² You might feel the ache in your testicles, or get a more general ache in the lower part of your body.

There are several other conditions that can cause lumps or swelling in your testicles. But there's always a chance that a lump in your testicle could be cancer. Make sure you see a doctor and get it checked out. Lots of men feel embarrassed about problems that affect their sexual health.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Mason OJ, Strauss K.
Studying help-seeking for testicular cancer: some lessons from the literature.
International Journal of Men's Health. 2004; 3: 111-127.

 

 

 

 

 

⁵ This shouldn't keep you from seeing a doctor. Your doctor will be used to dealing with similar problems. And the sooner you get treated for any kind of cancer, the better.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:
Mason OJ, Strauss K.
Studying help-seeking for testicular cancer: some lessons from the literature.
International Journal of Men's Health. 2004; 3: 111-127.

 

 

 

 

 

⁵ But even the later stages of testicular cancer can be successfully treated, so it's never too late to get treatment.

There are some other symptoms you may get if you have testicular cancer. But other, less serious conditions can cause these things, too. See a doctor to get your symptoms checked, but remember that they don't necessarily mean you have cancer.

These are some of the symptoms you may get.

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