What Happens

In most cases, the first sign of testicular cancer is a change in the size or shape of one or both testicles (testes). Often this change does not cause pain, though pain may be present. If unnoticed or untreated, testicular cancer may spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body.

After you are diagnosed with testicular cancer, you and your doctor will begin planning your treatment. Nearly all men with testicular cancer begin treatment with the surgical removal of the affected testicle(s), a procedure called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. Removing the affected testicle helps your doctor find out which type of cancer cells are present and whether your cancer has spread beyond the testes (stage).

After the removal of the affected testicle, your treatment plan may involve surveillance, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or additional surgery. This depends on your choices, the type of cancer cells involved, and the stage of your cancer.

Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer, especially during its early stages. If you have symptoms of testicular cancer, see a doctor as soon as possible.

What Increases Your Risk

Some things may increase your chances of getting testicular cancer. These risk factors include:

• An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). This is a testicle that has not moved down (descended) from the abdomen into the scrotum. Normally the testicles descend before or soon after birth. Surgery is usually done to move an undescended testicle into the scrotum. This makes it possible to check the testicle over time.
• Klinefelter syndrome. This is a genetic disorder that affects males. Normally, males have one X and one Y chromosome. Males with Klinefelter syndrome have at least two X chromosomes and, in rare cases, as many as three or four.
• A personal or family history of testicular cancer.

Most men who get testicular cancer don't have any known risk factors.