About this page. This is a plain English summary of testicular cancer. It does not replace medical advice from your own doctor or specialist.
For full information and references, please read the detailed page.
Who it affects
Testicular cancer is mainly a young man's cancer - most cases are in men between about 20 and 40 years old. The most common way it is found is when a man notices a firm lump in one of the testicles, usually himself. This is why getting to know what is normal for you, and noticing a change, is so important.
One of the success stories of cancer treatment
Testicular cancer has an extremely high cure rate, around 95%. This is largely because of chemotherapy drugs (such as Cisplatin) that work very well against this particular cancer, even when it has spread. The well-known story of Lance Armstrong, who had widespread disease and is now cured, gives a sense of how effective treatment can be.
That said, most patients do not need chemotherapy at all - most testicular cancers are caught before they spread.
Tests before surgery
Before any operation, staging tests are done to check whether the cancer has spread. These usually include:
- A CT scan.
- A chest x-ray.
- Blood tests, including tumour markers.
The main treatment: radical orchidectomy
The standard treatment is to remove the affected testicle and the spermatic cord through a small cut in the groin (a radical orchidectomy). The tissue is then examined under the microscope to confirm the diagnosis and find out which type of testicular cancer it is. Most patients go home the next day.
At the same operation, men are offered a testicular prosthesis - a small synthetic implant that, externally, looks much like a normal testicle. This is a personal choice; many men, particularly younger men, prefer to have one inserted.
What happens next depends on the type
Pathology divides testicular tumours into two main groups, and an oncologist usually helps with the next step:
- Non-seminomas. Often managed with an observation protocol: regular CT scans and tumour markers, with chemotherapy reserved for those who need it.
- Seminomas. Have traditionally been treated with radiotherapy to the lymph-node area near the great blood vessels in the abdomen. These days, observation is more often offered as an alternative for selected patients.
Important things to know
- Most testicular cancers are found by a man noticing a lump himself - regular self-examination helps.
- Removing one testicle does not usually affect testosterone or ability to father a child, but it is reasonable to discuss sperm storage before treatment, particularly if chemotherapy is likely.
- The remaining testicle has a small increased risk of cancer over time, so any new lump should be checked.
- Long-term follow up (scans, blood tests, examinations) is important - it allows any return of cancer to be picked up and treated early.
What you can do next
- Read the full detailed page with references and patient brochures (including a self-examination guide).
- Other plain English pages.
- Request a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment plan.
- Call 02 8382 6980 to make an appointment.