• Signs and symptoms
• Diagnosis and tests
• Treatment overview
• Risk factors and prevention
• Treatment at GenesisCare
• FAQs

Testicular cancer starts in the testicles, also known as testes, which are part of the male reproductive system. The testicles are made up of different types of cells, and the type of testicular cancer you have depends on the kind of cell it develops in.

More than 9 in 10 testicular cancers start in sperm-producing cells, called germ cells. You may hear this type of testicular cancer called germ cell tumours (GCTs). The two main germ cell tumours are seminomas and non-seminomas (NSGCTs). 

Anyone with testicles can develop the condition, though it mainly affects those aged 15 - 49. Despite this, early diagnosis and treatment usually mean a positive outcome for most. 

Regularly checking your testicles can help you learn what’s normal for you and spot early symptoms of testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer symptoms include:

• A lump or swelling in the testis 
• An increase in the firmness of the testis 
• Different appearance between one testis and the other 
• Pain or discomfort in the testis or scrotum 
• A heavy feeling in the scrotum 

If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, you may have late-stage testicular cancer symptoms. Symptoms can include:

• Pain in your lower back or abdomen 
• Unexpected weight loss 
• Coughing 
• Breathlessness 
• Generally feeling unwell 
• A lump in the neck 

Regular self-examination is important so you can be aware of any changes. It’s advisable to do this on a monthly basis.

Below are tips on how to check yourself:

1. Cup your testicles to feel their weight. Is there an equal distribution across both of them?
2. Roll each testicle between your thumb and your forefinger, to feel for any hard lumps. Normally testes are oval shaped with a soft and smooth texture. They should feel firm, but not too hard, or wooden. A slight fleshiness, but with no give.
3. Next, try to find your epididymis – the soft tube-like structure behind the testicle – and roll your finger gently along this area to check for any lumps
4. Don’t prod any lumps too hard during your self-examination.

A testicular cancer lump can feel like a swelling or a hard lump, which is often painless. There may be feelings of discomfort, such as a dull ache, heaviness or pain in the scrotum (the sac).

You can find out more by reading our blog about everything you need to know about testicular cancer.

Signs of testicular cancer don’t always mean you have cancer, but they should never be ignored. When found early, testicular cancer can be very treatable. See your doctor early so you can start any treatment needed, without delay.

If you‘re concerned about testicular cancer, you can get fast and easy access to expert urologists and diagnostic services at our UrologyHub.

The exact cause of testicular cancer is not always clear. However, there are risk factors, which include a family history or personal history of testicular cancer and certain developmental conditions.

Risk factors increase the chances of getting testicular cancer. But you can get the condition even without risk factors – never ignore symptoms. 

You may be at a higher risk of testicular cancer if: 

• You had undescended testicles as an infant 
• You have a family history of testicular cancer
• You’ve had testicular cancer in the past 
• You were born with your urine hole (urethra) on the underside of your penis
• You have HIV or AIDS
• Your ethnicity is white British 

Testicular cancer is not preventable, as most of the risk factors are not possible to avoid. However, you could lower your risk of being diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer by regularly checking your testicles. 

At GenesisCare, we diagnose and treat a wide range of cancers including testicular cancer and understand it can be a very worrying time. Our diagnostic services are world-class, and our commitment is to give you the answers you need, as quickly as possible.

Symptoms are often caused by other conditions, not always cancer. But, whatever your diagnosis, we can make sure you get the expert care you need – without delay.

If you have possible signs of testicular cancer, you’ll see a specialist who assesses your symptoms and, if necessary, refer you for diagnostic tests such as blood tests, CT scan, MRI scan, and ultrasound.

Most testicular tumours release tumour markers, which are chemicals that can be measured with blood tests. Testicular tumour markers include:

• Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
• Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

Unlike many other cancers, a biopsy is not used to diagnose testicular cancer, as this can help it spread elsewhere in the body. If cancer is suspected, the testicle is removed (called orchidectomy) and tested for cancer. 

The stage describes the cancer’s size and spread. This helps your doctor suggest the best treatment plan for your diagnosis.

There are treatments for all stages of testicular cancer. In the early stages, it can be cured. 9 in 10 people live at least ten years after diagnosis of testicular cancer of any stage.

If the cancer cannot be completely removed, for example, in advanced testicular cancer, treatment aims to control your condition – helping you live as well as possible, for as long as possible.

At GenesisCare, it’s our commitment to offer world-class care to every patient with cancer. Skip ahead to discover our treatment approach.

The main testicular cancer treatments are:

• Surgery – removing the cancer, which may be one testis or both testes 
• Chemotherapy – anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs which destroy the cancer cells 
• Radiotherapy – high-energy radiation beams which are targeted at the cancer cells 

If the risk of your cancer coming back after surgery is low, you may not need to have any additional treatment, but your consultant may recommend active surveillance. This means you‘ll have regular appointments to monitor signs of the cancer coming back. 

We are the UK’s leading independent provider of private cancer care. By choosing us, you can be reassured that your treatment is managed by a team of specialists working together with you to design the best plan for your diagnosis.

Our approach to world-class care for testicular cancer includes:

• A personalised plan built around you
• Treatment starting within days if needed
• 14 outpatient cancer centres across the UK
• State-of-the-art facilities specialising in advanced radiotherapy
• Compassionate chemotherapy nurses available 24/7 by telephone
• Integrative cancer care including wellbeing therapies and exercise medicine
• Recognised by all leading private medical insurers with self-pay options available
• Transport provided, depending on location and treatment

We are proud that so many patients rate our care as excellent as we help them through their cancer journey. Hear the unique experiences of people who have had their cancer diagnosis or treatment at GenesisCare in our patient stories section.

Our consultants include expert surgeons who work in local and nationally renowned hospitals and consult with other cancer specialists to decide the best course of treatment for you.

If your consultant recommends testicular cancer surgery, this can be arranged conveniently at one of our partner hospitals. You can then continue your other treatments at GenesisCare. 

For some advanced cancers, we use specialist tests, such as liquid biopsy or genomic testing, to understand cancer cells’ genetic makeup and understand which drugs may work against them. This helps to start effective treatment without delay. There may also be opportunities to access clinical trials for the newest treatments for testicular cancer.

At GenesisCare, we offer all drug therapies that can be used to treat and manage testicular cancer, including many of the newest treatments. Depending on how these treatments are given to you, you may attend one of our private chemotherapy suites staffed by specialist nurses.

Our compassionate nursing teams are available 24/7 on a dedicated on-call telephone service and can answer any queries during your treatment. They'll be able to provide advice about side effects or symptoms and help arrange appropriate medical care when needed.

Our centres have all received the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark to reflect the quality of care we provide for people living with cancer.

We’re the leading private provider of radiotherapy in the UK. We offer world-class expertise and state-of-the-art facilities that specialise in advanced radiotherapy techniques.

Your treatment will be governed by our expert multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), consisting of oncologists and radiotherapists, who work together to ensure that you only receive the best possible care.

At GenesisCare, we offer VMAT wherever possible for testicular cancer because it is widely recognised to be the highest standard of care currently available for patients needing this type of radiotherapy.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a modern radiotherapy technique that directs beams of radiation in an arc across the treatment area. Together with surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), it‘s possible to precisely target areas of cancer, adjusting the beam and intensity of the radiation dose to allow for movements in the body and avoid healthy tissues. Side effects of radiotherapy occur when healthy tissues receive radiation, so using this technique helps to limit treatment side effects.  

At GenesisCare, we do more than just treat your cancer. As part of our unique and integrative approach to cancer care, you can expect a personalised treatment plan that includes access to life-changing therapies proven to improve cancer-related outcomes.

These are tailored to you to help you manage and cope with your cancer and the specific side effects of treatment.

Exercise medicine is a personalised programme of carefully planned and supported physical activity that has been shown to improve outcomes for cancer patients, enhancing quality of life and limiting the impact of cancer, such as by improving strength and reducing fatigue.

One of our physiotherapists specialising in exercise for people living with cancer will provide a 12-week programme tailored to your needs and supported by our dedicated GenesisCare Exercise Medicine app. They‘ll work closely with you to monitor changes in your health and support you throughout the programme to help you get the best results. This is available at selected GenesisCare centres.

We also offer a well-being expert and holistic therapies such as counselling, acupuncture, massage and reflexology through our unique partnership with the Penny Brohn UK charity. A range of services is available to patients with testicular cancer at any of our 14 UK centres.