Testicular cancer Mate pukupuku raho

No one knows what causes testicular cancer, though there are risks factors.

• Men with undescended testicles are 3 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than those whose testicles descend at or shortly after birth.
• Māori men have a higher risk of getting testicular cancer.
• Having a close family member with a history of testicular cancer or an undescended testicle increases your risk.
• If you have had testicular cancer, you have an increased risk of developing it in your other testicle.

Most cases of testicular cancer are found during medical testing for other conditions or when doing a testicular self-examination.

Symptoms include:

• a lump in your testicles, which can feel hard, is often painless and can be about the size of a pea (though it can be larger)
• a change in the size or feel of your testicles
• a dull ache or sharp pain in your testicles or scrotum that comes and goes
• a feeling of heaviness in your scrotum.

To check for testicular cancer your healthcare provider will examine your testicles for swelling and lumps. They will examine you both lying and standing to check the position of the lump. They may hold a light against your scrotum to see if the light passes through.

If they suspect testicular cancer, they will refer you for more tests, such as:

• an ultrasound scan to check any mass in the testicle
• a blood test to look for specific tumour markers in the blood.

If these tests are positive, your healthcare provider may do extra tests to see if the cancer has spread, such as a CT scan, MRI scan or x-ray.

If you have testicular cancer, you will be treated by a specialist called a urologist. Testicular cancer is nearly always cured if it is found early. If it is not found early, the cancer can spread to lymph nodes and other parts of your body. 

The treatment for testicular cancer depends on:

• the type and stage (how far it has spread)
• the severity of your symptoms
• your preferences.

Nearly all treatment for testicular cancer begins with surgery to remove the testicle (orchidectomy or orchiectomy). If the cancer is found early this may be all the treatment that is needed. However, treatment often includes chemotherapy or sometimes radiation therapy.

Cancer treatments