I recently saw a young man in clinic who presented with a large testicular mass. As I was explaining the situation to the patient and his family, I could clearly sense a feeling of regret as the patient and his family realized that there had been a long delay in diagnosis due to the patient simply not being aware of the signs of testicular cancer.
As such, I thought it would be worth the time to review the most common (though certainly not an all-inclusive) signs of testicular cancer.
Signs or symptoms of testicular cancer:
Painless lump or swelling on either testicle. This is the most common symptoms of localized disease and all hard lumps in the scrotum demand immediate evaluation by a urologist.
A change in the way a testicle feels. I’ve heard this described as a “heaviness in the scrotum” or a “dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin.
Breast tenderness or growth. This is much less common but some testicular tumors make hormones that cause breast tenderness or growth of breast tissue.
Other symptoms such as back pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of one or both legs and bloody sputum or phlegm can be symptoms of late stage testicular cancer.
If you have any doubts, please call and make an appointment. Testicular cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer assuming that it is diagnosed early.