Other possible symptoms of testicular cancer include the following:

* Any enlargement of a testicle

* A fecling of heaviness in the scrotum

* A dull persistent ache in the lower abdomen or the groin

* A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum

* Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum

It is important for all men to be aware of these symptoms, because doctors cannot predict who will get testicular cancer and who will not. As of 2009, the cause of testicular cancer was not known. Boys who are born with undescended testicles (located in the lower abdomen, rather than in the scrotum) have a higher risk of developing testicular cancer later in life.

However, it usually develops for no apparent reason.

How Is Testicular Cancer Diagnosed?

Doctors begin by examining the scrotum and testes carefully and ordering urine and blood tests. These tests can help determine whether an infection or some other disorder might be causing the symptoms. Also, if a tumor is present, certain substances in the blood may be found at elevated levels. These substances are called tumor markers, because they often are found in abnormal amounts in patients with some types of cancer. The doctor may also order tests that create images of the inside of the body, such as a CT scan or an ultrasound.

After all of these tests, the doctor can be reasonably certain about the diagnosis. However, the only sure way to determine whether cancer is present is to examine a sample of tissue under a microscope. In an operation, surgeons remove the affected testicle.

Once cancer is diagnosed, doctors need to figure out whether it has spread to other parts of the body and formed metastases. They may perform other tests to look for cancer elsewhere. Because the cancer frequently spreads through the lymph nodes in the abdomen, these may be removed and then checked for cancer cells.

How Is Testicular Cancer Treated?

The removal of the testicle, which is necessary to diagnose the cancer, is also the first step in treating it. In addition, tumors that have spread to other parts of the body may be removed partly or entirely by surgery. In most cases, surgery will be followed by radiation therapy, which focuses high-energy rays on the remaining tumor to kill cancer cells and stop their growth.

In some cases, chemotherapy may be used either before or after surgery. During chemotherapy, anticancer drugs are given by mouth or by injection into a muscle or vein.

Life after Testicular Cancer

Fortunately, this disease responds well to treatment, even when it has spread from the testicle to other parts of the body. Men who have had testicular cancer need to see their doctors for regular follow-up appointments to make sure that the cancer has not returned.

A man with one healthy testicle can still have sex and father children. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may cause a temporary drop in sperm production, but it usually returns to normal within a few months. Patients who are concerned about how they look can also have an artificial testicle, called a testicular prosthesis, placed in the scrotum. It looks and feels just like a normal testicle.

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