The most common sign of testicular cancer is a lump on your testicl*. But that’s not the only sign of this disease.
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Men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) who have testicular cancer may experience several different kinds of symptoms, says oncologist Shilpa Gupta, MD.
While testicular cancer is rare, it most frequently strikes people with testicl*s younger than age 44 and is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for men and people AMAB ages 15 to 34. It is almost always curable if found early, Dr. Gupta says, and is usually curable even when at a later stage. So, it’s important to know signs and symptoms.
Here are the possible signs of testicular cancer you might not know about.
What are the signs of testicular cancer?
Many of these symptoms typically occur with other conditions as well. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider.
A painless lump
One of the early signs of testicular cancer is a lump or bump on your testicl*s. Most of the time, that lump won’t cause pain, but some people have reported feeling pain and discomfort.
“The correct way to do a testicular self-exam is to cup one testicl* at a time using both hands performed during or after a warm bath or shower. You can examine the area by rolling the testicl* between your thumb and fingers using slight pressure,” explains Dr. Gupta.
“Familiarize yourself with the spermatic cord and epididymis, which are tubelike strictures that connect on the back side of each testicl*. Feel for lumps, change in size or irregularities. It’s normal for one testis be slightly larger than the other.”
A feeling of heaviness or pressure in your scrotum
You may start to notice that your testicl*s feel different or even heavier. One testicl* may feel firmer than the other.
“It’s important to not ignore any of such symptoms,” she stresses.
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Swelling or sudden fluid build-up in your scrotum
Your scrotum and testicl*s can become swollen. They may appear red and seem larger. And you may also have fluid backup in your scrotum.
“Always get checked out if you feel a sudden accumulation of fluid in scrotum,” advises Dr. Gupta.
Change in testicl* size or firmness
Certain types of testicular tumors can reduce testosterone or increase estrogen in the body, which can result in a change in testicl* size or firmness. This can include a shrinking testicl*, known as testicular atrophy.
“It’s important to do a self-exam and get checked out by a physician if any changes are noted in consistency of testes,” says Dr. Gupta.
Swollen legs
When a tumor spreads to a lymph node, it can constrict blood flow in the veins and result in a blood clot. The clots often occur in your legs, which causes them to swell. You might even experience blood clot symptoms like pain and difficulty breathing.
“It’s important to watch out for sudden leg swelling,” reiterates Dr. Gupta.
Lower back pain and shortness of breath
These are symptoms of advanced testicular cancer, meaning the cancer has spread to lymph nodes behind your stomach. Shortness of breath also may signal that the cancer has spread to your lungs, which may make it harder for air to move in and out.
“More advanced disease can present with more generalized symptoms,” notes Dr. Gupta. “It’s important to not ignore these.”
Breast growth or tenderness
In rare cases, hormone changes also can cause breast tenderness or growth of breast tissue. Some tumors can secrete high levels of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which stimulates breast development.
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“If men notice sudden breast tenderness or swelling, it’s recommended to get it checked out,” she says.
When to talk to a doctor
If you experience any of the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer, make an appointment with a healthcare provider right away, Dr. Gupta advises.
During your appointment, your healthcare provider may want to do a physical exam and will ask you about your medical history. Common tests include an ultrasound and biopsy.
If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with epididymitis or orchitis and the symptoms don’t resolve quickly with antibiotics, request an ultrasound to evaluate for a testicular tumor.
It’s important to speak up if you’re not feeling better. Treatment options for testicular cancer include:
- Surgery, including radical inguinal orchiectomy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Chemotherapy.
“While up to 95% of people with testicular cancer are cured, it’s important to get care quickly if you’re experiencing symptoms because testicular cancers usually grow fast,” Dr. Gupta emphasizes. “If there is disease, the earlier it is treated, the greater than chance for success.”
