Testicular Cancer: Symptoms, Signs and Causes

Who is Mainly Affected by Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer may affect any male. However, some people are at increased risk of developing this condition. These include people between the ages of 15 and 45. The testicular cancer risk is also high among whites who have a family history of testicular cancer or suffer from cryptorchidism (undescended testicles). People with other medical conditions, such as HIV infection and carcinoma in situ in the testicles, are more likely to get testicular cancer. Further, people with testicular cancer in one testicle are at higher risk of developing it in another testicle.

What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer?

Patients usually ask about what are the symptoms of testicular cancer. The common symptoms of testicular cancer are:

Lump or Swelling

In most cases, swelling of the testicles and/or the presence of lumps are early-stage testicular cancer symptoms. Some patients with testicular cancer may also experience aching or heaviness in the scrotal area or a dull ache in the groin or the lower belly.

Pain or Discomfort

In the early stages, testicular cancer patients may not experience any pain. However, in some cases, pain, which is caused by swelling, may become one of the testicular cancer symptoms. Approximately one-third of the patients experience dull pain, while acute pain is reported in almost 10% of the patients.

Heaviness or Sensation of Fullness

Due to an increase in the size of the testicle due to swelling or the development of lumps, patients with testicular cancer may experience a feeling or sensation of fullness and heaviness in the scrotal region.

Change in Testicle Size or Shape

An increase or reduction in the size of testicles may also be one of the testicular cancer symptoms. The size may be increased due to swelling or the growth of a lump and can be reduced due to testicular atrophy. Testicular atrophy has a negative effect on the reproductive health of patients.

Pain or Discomfort in the Lower Back

Pain and discomfort in the lower back or the groin are usually late-stage testicular cancer symptoms. It is because the cancer spreads to the lymph nodes present in the back of the abdomen.

Fluid Buildup

A sudden fluid accumulation in the scrotum may also be a sign of testicular cancer.

A breast Lump

In some patients, there is a significant increase in the levels of the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone, which may stimulate breast development. It results in the growth of breasts. Some patients with Leydig cell tumors may have an increase in estrogen levels, resulting in low sexual desire and breast development.