Testicular Cancer / Testis Cancer / Men’s Urologic Oncology
Testicular Cancer Care in La Mesa, CA
Evaluation and care planning for testicular lumps, scrotal swelling, testicular pain or heaviness, testicular ultrasound findings, tumor marker blood tests, seminoma, nonseminoma, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, staging, surveillance, and survivorship follow-up.
Testicular cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the testicle. It can occur at any age, but most frequently strikes young men between 15 and 35 years of age. Typically, only one testicle is affected. With an early diagnosis, testicular cancer is highly treatable, but, left untreated, testicular cancer can metastasize and become fatal.
New testicular lumps, swelling, heaviness, or changes should be evaluated promptly.
Physical exam, ultrasound, tumor markers, and imaging help guide diagnosis and staging.
Treatment depends on whether the cancer is seminoma or nonseminoma and whether it has spread.
Testicular cancer evaluation near San Diego.
Alvarado La Mesa Urology provides testicular cancer evaluation, scrotal exam, tumor marker review, ultrasound review, staging coordination, treatment planning, and follow-up care for patients in La Mesa and surrounding San Diego communities.
Risks of Testicular Cancer
While the cause of testicular cancer is uncertain, there are several known risk factors that may include:
- Family history of the disease
- A previously undescended testicle
- Prior testicular cancer
- Abnormal testicle development
- Having AIDS
- Smoking
For unknown reasons, testicular cancer occurs more frequently in Caucasian males than in males of other races. This discrepancy is most pronounced in regard to African-American males; white men are five times more likely to develop testicular cancer than African-American men.
Family history of testicular cancer or prior testicular cancer can increase risk.
A previously undescended testicle or abnormal testicle development may increase risk.
Having AIDS, smoking, and other patient-specific factors may be considered during evaluation.
Risk factors do not mean a person will develop cancer, and testicular cancer can still occur in men without known risk factors. New testicular changes should be evaluated regardless of risk profile.
Symptoms of Testicular Cancer
In some cases, patients with testicular cancer are asymptomatic. In patients who exhibit symptoms of the disease, the symptoms may include:
- Pain or heaviness in the scrotum
- Swelling or enlargement of the testicle
- Lump in the testicle
- Dull ache in the back or groin
- Enlargement or tenderness of breast tissue
- Loss of sexual desire
- Premature puberty in boys
If the cancer has advanced to the lymph nodes in the abdomen, the patient may also experience abdominal pain.
A lump, swelling, enlargement, pain, or heaviness in the scrotum should be evaluated.
A dull ache in the back or groin, or abdominal pain when lymph nodes are involved, may occur.
Breast tenderness or enlargement, loss of sexual desire, or premature puberty in boys can occur in some cases.
Schedule a medical evaluation for any new testicular lump, swelling, firmness, heaviness, persistent scrotal pain, or testicular change. Seek urgent care for severe pain, sudden swelling, fever, or symptoms that worsen quickly.
Diagnosis of Testicular Cancer
To diagnose testicular cancer, a physician will first perform a thorough physical examination of the testicles and scrotum to detect any presence of a lump. Other diagnostic tests administered may include:
- Blood Tests for tumor markers
- CT scan
- Ultrasound scan
- MRI scan
- X-rays
Tissue diagnosis may be necessary to confirm a cancer diagnosis. When testicular cancer is strongly suspected, the urologic workup usually follows a careful cancer-safe pathway rather than a routine office needle biopsy of the testicle. Once a patient has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, further testing is administered to determine which type of cancer the patient has and what its stage is.
Exam and ultrasound can help evaluate a lump, testicle enlargement, or suspicious scrotal finding.
Blood tests may evaluate tumor markers that help with diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and follow-up.
CT scan, MRI scan, X-rays, or other imaging may help determine whether cancer has spread.
A complete evaluation may also include fertility counseling, discussion of sperm banking before treatment when appropriate, and review of treatment side effects.
Types and Stages of Testicular Cancer
There are two basic types of testicular cancer: seminoma and nonseminoma. Seminomas are less likely to be aggressive, whereas nonseminomas, which tend to develop earlier in life, are more likely to grow rapidly.
Seminomas tend to be less aggressive and are treated according to cancer stage and patient-specific factors.
Nonseminomas often develop earlier in life and are more likely to grow rapidly.
Testicular cancer, like other cancers, is divided into stages according to its severity and advancement. The three stages of cancer are delineated as follows:
Stage I
Stage I cancer has not spread beyond the testicle.
Stage II
Stage II cancer has spread to abdominal lymph nodes.
Stage III
Stage III cancer has metastasized to other organs.
When testicular cancer advances to stage III, it typically spreads to the lungs, liver, or brain.
Treatment of Testicular Cancer
Treatment methods for testicular cancer may include:
- Surgery to remove a testicle and possibly nearby lymph nodes
- Radiation, using high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells
- Chemotherapy, using medications to kill cancer cells
All boys and men should be aware of appropriate ways to self-examine their testicles so that any testicular cancer can be detected at its earliest possible stage. When the disease is caught and treated at an early stage, the vast majority of patients survive.
Surgery may remove the affected testicle and, in selected cases, nearby lymph nodes.
Radiation may use high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells in selected patients.
Chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells and may be part of treatment for certain stages or types.
Treatment Planning Factors
Treatment selection depends on cancer type, stage, tumor markers, imaging findings, lymph node involvement, whether cancer has spread, prior treatment, fertility goals, overall health, and patient preferences.
Fertility and Survivorship
Testicular cancer treatment can affect fertility and testosterone production. Patients may need counseling about sperm banking, prosthetic testicle options, follow-up imaging, tumor marker monitoring, and long-term survivorship care.
Testicular Self-Awareness
Being familiar with how the testicles normally feel can help men notice changes earlier. Any new lump, swelling, firmness, size change, heaviness, or persistent discomfort should be discussed with a clinician.
Regular awareness can help identify changes in size, firmness, tenderness, or shape.
A testicular lump or enlargement should be evaluated even if it is painless.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
Testicular self-awareness is not a substitute for medical diagnosis. A clinician should evaluate new or concerning testicular or scrotal findings.
Common questions about testicular cancer.
These answers are general educational information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. A urologist can evaluate testicular lumps, swelling, pain, imaging results, tumor markers, and treatment options.
What is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is the growth of malignant cells in the testicle. It typically affects only one testicle and is highly treatable when diagnosed early.
Who is most often affected by testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer can occur at any age, but it most frequently affects young men between 15 and 35 years of age.
What increases the risk of testicular cancer?
Risk factors may include family history, a previously undescended testicle, prior testicular cancer, abnormal testicle development, having AIDS, smoking, and race-related risk differences.
What symptoms can testicular cancer cause?
Symptoms may include pain or heaviness in the scrotum, swelling or enlargement of the testicle, a lump in the testicle, dull ache in the back or groin, breast tissue enlargement or tenderness, loss of sexual desire, premature puberty in boys, or abdominal pain if lymph nodes are involved.
Can testicular cancer have no symptoms?
Yes. In some cases, patients with testicular cancer are asymptomatic, which is why awareness of new testicular changes is important.
How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosis may include physical examination of the testicles and scrotum, tumor marker blood tests, ultrasound scan, CT scan, MRI scan, X-rays, and tissue diagnosis through an appropriate urologic pathway.
What are the main types of testicular cancer?
The two basic types are seminoma and nonseminoma. Seminomas are generally less likely to be aggressive, while nonseminomas tend to develop earlier in life and are more likely to grow rapidly.
What are the stages of testicular cancer?
Stage I cancer has not spread beyond the testicle. Stage II cancer has spread to abdominal lymph nodes. Stage III cancer has metastasized to other organs, often the lungs, liver, or brain.
How is testicular cancer treated?
Treatment may include surgery to remove a testicle and possibly nearby lymph nodes, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, surveillance, or a combination plan depending on type and stage.
Where can I get testicular cancer care near San Diego?
Alvarado La Mesa Urology provides testicular cancer evaluation and treatment planning in La Mesa, CA, serving patients from San Diego, El Cajon, Spring Valley, Lemon Grove, and nearby communities.
Credible educational references.
The educational information on this page is supported by reputable urology and cancer organizations. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Schedule a testicular cancer consultation in La Mesa.
If you notice a testicular lump, swelling, heaviness, scrotal pain, testicle enlargement, back or groin ache, abnormal ultrasound finding, or tumor marker concern, Alvarado La Mesa Urology can evaluate your symptoms and discuss next steps.