Testicular cancer where is the lump

Other common causes for testicular lumps include:. Call your doctor: Visiting your doctor as soon as possible is the best thing to do for your health. Your doctor may also ask about personal and family medical history to assess your risk factors for testicular cancer. To learn more about the causes of your testicular lump, the doctor may recommend several tests.

Some of the diagnostic tests used for testicular cancer include:. Make a difference in the fight against cancer by donating to cancer research. Call us anytime. This page was updated on September 21, Lumps in testicular and scrotal area.

How to look for testicular lumps Some doctors recommend monthly self-exams to look for changes. To self-examine: Lift the penis and gently examine each testicle one at a time. Hold each testicle between your thumb and fingers, gently rolling it back and forth, feeling for anything out of the ordinary.

This may include a lump, firm nodule, a change in the consistency of your skin, or a change in size. If one or both testicles feel painful or swollen, this may indicate an abnormality. What is a testicular lump?

Common benign testicular lumps include: Benign teratoma —This type of germ cell tumor occurs most often before puberty, usually in babies. Epidermoid cyst —This is a fluid-filled cyst that develops in the epididymis and may be surgically removed, if deemed necessary Orchitis —This is a bacterial or viral infection in the testicle.

Cancerous Testicular cancer is diagnosed through procedures including imaging tests , blood tests for tumor markers, and a type of surgery known as a radical inguinal orchiectomy in which the testicle is removed and a biopsy is performed to detect cancer. Germ cell tumors are broken down into two types: Seminomas —This type of tumor tends to be slow-growing, compared with non-seminomas. What to do if you find a testicular lump Testicles are an important part of the reproductive system—producing both sperm and hormones such as testosterone.

Should I be doing testicular self-exams? Gently hold each testicle between your thumb and fingers, rolling it back and forth. Men who have testicular cancer may experience several different kinds of symptoms. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Early puberty in boys Some Leydig cell tumors can make androgens male sex hormones. Symptoms of advanced testicular cancer Even if testicular cancer has spread to other parts of the body, many men might not have symptoms right away.

But some men might have some of the following: Low back pain , from cancer spread to the lymph nodes bean-sized collections of immune cells in back of the belly. Shortness of breath , chest pain , or a cough even coughing up blood may develop from cancer spread in the lungs. Belly pain , either from enlarged lymph nodes or because the cancer has spread to the liver.

Headaches or confusion , from cancer spread in the brain. But see a doctor if you have:. Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer but it is important to get them checked by a doctor. Try not to be embarrassed. Doctors are used to discussing intimate problems and will try to put you at ease. A lump or swelling in part of one testicle is the most common symptom of a testicular cancer. It can be as small as a pea, but may be much larger. Your doctor may shine a strong light through your scrotum.

This test is called transillumination. This is useful because:. It is usual for some men to have different size testicles. But see your doctor if the size changes, or you notice an unusual difference in size between one testicle and the other. Testicular cancer is not usually painful. But the first symptom for some men is a sharp pain in the testicle or scrotum. Sometimes testicular cancer cells can spread into lymph nodes at the back of the tummy abdomen.