Testicular Cancer: Causes, Risk Factors and How to Perform a Self-Exam
Isabella Cannon
| 3 min read
Isabella Cannon is a Corporate Communications intern...
Medically reviewed by Peter Graham, M.D.
Testicular cancer is a growth of abnormal cells that develops in the testicles, part of the male reproductive system. Testicular cancer is rare, affecting only about 1 in 250 men in their lifetimes, according to the Cleveland Clinic. You can develop testicular cancer at any age, but it happens most often between the ages of 15 and 45 according to the Mayo Clinic.
Fortunately, even when it spreads beyond the testicles, testicular cancer is highly treatable, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
What are the different types of testicular cancer?
According to American Cancer Society, 90% of testicular cancers start in germ cells, which are the cells that make sperm. Seminoma and non-seminoma are the two most common types of germ cell tumors.
Seminoma vs. non-seminoma
Seminoma is a type of testicular cancer that produces and spreads slowly, in some cases spreading to the lymph nodes. For a testicular cancer to be classified as a seminoma, all the cancer cells within the tumor must consist of 100% germ cells.
Non-seminomas are tumors that form in sperm cells. They are more common in younger men, from their teens to mid-30s.They are more common than seminomas and tend to develop faster.
Symptoms of testicular cancer
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer is important to get treatment you need. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- A lump or swelling in the testicle
- Pressure in the scrotum
- Change in testicle size or firmness
- Breast tenderness
- Lower back or belly pain
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the legs
Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you experience any of these signs and symptoms.
Risk factors
About half of testicular cancers occur in men between the ages of 20 and 34. But this cancer can affect males of any age, including infants and elderly men, according to the American Cancer Society. Some other risk factors include:
- Family history
- HIV infection
- Cryptorchidism or undescended testicles
- Race and ethnicity: White, American Indian and Alaska Native men are several times more likely to get testicular cancer than Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander men.
How to perform a self-exam
Regular, monthly testicular self-exams are recommended to ensure familiarity with your body so you can easily identify any changes. The Testicular Cancer Society advises doing testicular self-exams during or right after a warm shower or bath to relax the scrotum.
How to perform a self-exam according to the Testicular Cancer Society:
- Stand in front of a mirror if able. Check for any swelling on the scrotal skin.
- Examine each testicle with both hands. Hold testicle between your thumbs and middle fingers and roll it gently but firmly between your fingers.
- Look and feel for any hard lumps or nodules or any change in the size, shape, or consistency of your testicles.
- You should not feel pain when performing the self-exam. Be aware of any dull soreness or heaviness. The testicles should be smooth and firm to the touch.
According to the Testicular Cancer Society, a testicle can become larger for many reasons other than cancer. Normal testicles also contain blood vessels, supporting tissues and tubes that carry sperm which some men may confuse these with abnormal lumps. If you notice any changes to your testicle, talk to your health care provider for guidance.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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