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Testicular Cancer
Why choose us for testicular cancer care?
At Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, we offer genitourinary cancer expertise you won’t find anywhere else in the state.
We have a long track record of successfully treating a high volume of advanced cancers. Our surgeons’ specialized skill set means we can often treat testicular cancer without affecting your sexual function
What you need to know about testicular cancer
- Testicular cancer is when cancer cells develop inside one or both testicles (male reproductive glands in the scrotum).
- Testicular cancer is one of many genitourinary (GU) cancers we treat. Read about our nationally renowned genitourinary cancer program.
- It usually affects men in young adulthood, between 15 and 35. But it can affect men and boys at any stage of life.
- Our urologic oncologists are leaders in the field. We care for high volumes of testicular cancer cases, which means we confidently treat rare and complex testicular cancers safely.
- Cancer doctors with different areas of expertise will meet regularly before deciding on the next steps for your care. We then sit down with you to explain all your options, which may include one or more clinical trials. Together, we come up with a treatment plan that prioritizes your long-term health and well-being.
- We have programs dedicated to the specific needs of young adults affected by testicular cancer. Our adolescent and young adult cancer program provides counseling, guidance on fertility preservation and other resources aimed at serving patients in their teens, 20s and 30s.
How to talk to your doctor about testicular cancer
We understand that cancer affects much more than your physical health. A testicular cancer diagnosis may make you question how treatment could change what your body can do physically or sexually.
We will explain everything you need to know about how treatments may affect your life, now or in the future. And we want you to raise whatever questions or concerns are on your mind, even if they’re uncomfortable topics to bring up. Your quality of life matters to us.
You might want to ask your doctor about:
- Further testing you may need to pinpoint your diagnosis or guide treatment recommendations
- Cancer stage, including tumor size and whether cancer has spread (or could come back in the future)
- Treatment options, including any clinical trials for which you may be eligible
- Side effects of treatment, including how treatment may affect fertility and whether nerve-sparing surgery may help you preserve sexual function
- Support to help you enjoy your live after cancer treatment
Understanding Testicular Cancer
There are many types of testicular cancer, and not all act (or react to treatment) in the same way. Most testicular cancers grow from the cells that make sperm (called germ cells) inside the testes.
Our doctors treat common and rare types of testicular cancer, including:
- Seminoma cancers usually develop inside the testes and tend to grow slowly. This type of cancer can spread to the lymph nodes.
- Nonseminoma cancers may grow and spread more quickly without treatment.
Testicular cancer doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms. Common testicular cancer symptoms include:
- Lump or swelling in a testicle
- Discomfort or pain in a testicle
- A heavy feeling in the scrotum
- Dull ache in the back or lower abdomen
- Change to how a testicle looks or feels
There’s more than one way to diagnose testicular cancer. Our doctors always start with a thorough physical examination. Your doctor will consider your overall health and symptoms before recommending you undergo one or more tests. Get more information about cancer diagnosis.
Your doctor may recommend:
- Blood or urine tests to check for substances that point to cancer (called tumor markers)
- Imaging tests, such as a CT scan or ultrasound, to confirm the presence and location of a mass
Testicular cancer treatment usually includes surgery to remove the affected testicle. Your doctor may also remove nearby lymph nodes during surgery, if there’s a chance cancer cells may have spread.
Our team includes experienced surgeons who expertly perform specialized techniques that remove cancer while preserving sexual function. You can trust you’re in excellent hands here.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can sometimes increase treatment effectiveness or stop testicular cancer from coming back. Our pathologists will examine cancer cells under a microscope and determine which therapies are most likely to be effective.
Read more about additional cancer treatments.
Research
As a large academic medical center, we offer you access to therapies available only through clinical trials. Our team will sit down with you to talk through any options you may be eligible for and help you decide how a clinical trial could enhance your treatment plan. Learn more about cancer clinical trials and research.
Get cancer care
Take the first steps by visiting our cancer experts for testing, a second opinion or to learn about treatment options.