Cancer of the testicle is one of the less common cancers, and tends to mostly affect men between 15 and 49 years of age.
What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
- A lump in either testicle
- An enlarged (swollen) testicle
- Pain in the testicle
- A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
- A sudden gathering of fluid in the scrotum
- Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- A shrinking testicle
More information can be found at NHS Choices.
Diagnostic tests
Diagnostic tests to diagnose testicular cancer include:
- ultrasound – a scrotal ultrasound is a painless procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image of the inside of the testicle.
- blood tests – a series of blood tests to detect certain hormones in the blood are analysed for AFP (alpha feta protein), HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) and LDH (lactate dehydrogenate)
- orchidectomy – the best way to examine a testicular lump is by removing the affected testicle completely and it is also the main treatment.