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Medical Author:

Scott E Eggener, MD

Coauthor:

Steven C Campbell, MD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Most testicular cancers are discovered by the man himself when he notices a painless swelling (58%), lump (27%), or pain (33%) in a testicle.

• The lump may be small (the size of a pea) or large (the size of marble or even larger).
• Less common symptoms include a lasting ache or sensation of heaviness in the testicle.
• Significant shrinking of a testicle or a hardness of the testicle are other less common symptoms.
• Occasionally, a dull ache or fullness in the abdomen, pelvis, or groin is the only symptom.
• Rarely, the first symptom may be breast tenderness (3%), a result of hormonal changes brought on by the cancer.

Changes in the testicle can be detected early by practicing monthly testicular self-examination. Self-exam is easy to do. Testicular self-examination is key to recognizing testicular cancer early. Males older than 18 years of age should be encouraged to perform monthly inspections of each testicle. Notify your health-care provider about any suspicious finding or concern.

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