Testicular Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Testicular Cancer?
An oncologist, a doctor who treats cancer, usually leads care for testicular cancer. A urologist, a doctor who treats the male reproductive system, often does the surgery. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is cancer that starts in the testicles. The testicles are the male reproductive glands in the scrotum, the sac that holds them.
The two main types grow from germ cells, the cells that make sperm. They are called seminomas and nonseminomas. A seminoma is a slow-growing form. A nonseminoma is the more common type and tends to grow more quickly.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young and middle-aged men.
Symptoms
There may be no symptoms, or only a painless lump. If there are symptoms, they may include:
- A lump or swelling in either testicle.
- An enlarged testicle, or a change in the way it feels.
- Discomfort or pain in the testicle, or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
- Pain in the back or lower belly.
- Extra breast tissue, called gynecomastia. This can also happen normally in teenage boys who do not have testicular cancer.
If the cancer spreads outside the testicles, symptoms can appear in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, belly, pelvis, back, or brain.
Causes and who gets it
Doctors do not fully understand what causes testicular cancer. Some things raise a man's risk:
- Abnormal testicle development.
- An undescended testicle, which means one or both testicles did not move into the scrotum before birth.
- A family history of testicular cancer.
- Having had testicular cancer before.
- Klinefelter syndrome or Down syndrome, which are conditions a person is born with.
- HIV infection.
White men are more likely to develop it than African American and Asian American men. There is no link between a vasectomy and testicular cancer.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor starts with a physical exam. The exam typically finds a firm lump in one testicle. An ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to make pictures, is often the first test. It can help tell a harmless condition from a solid tumor that could be cancer, and a solid lump is more likely to be cancer.
Blood tests look for tumor markers. These are proteins that many testicular cancers make in high amounts.
A small tissue sample, called a biopsy, is rarely taken from a testicular tumor. If imaging and blood tests raise high concern, surgery to remove the testicle is very likely recommended. This surgery is called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. A pathologist, a doctor who studies tissue in a lab, then looks at the testicle under a microscope.
CT scans check whether cancer has spread, and doctors then give it a stage. In stage I, the cancer has not spread beyond the testicle. In stage II, it has spread to lymph nodes in the belly. In stage III, it has spread beyond the lymph nodes, and it could reach the liver, lungs, or brain.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and the stage of the tumor. Surgery to remove the testicle may be done at diagnosis and staging. Other treatments are:
- Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. It is usually used only for seminomas.
- Chemotherapy, which uses medicines to kill cancer cells. It has greatly improved survival for people with both main types.
- High-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant, which replaces blood-forming cells that the strong treatment destroys.
- Surveillance, which means close follow-up with exams and tests. No treatment is given unless the test results change.
Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable and curable cancers. Some treatments can cause infertility that may be permanent, so men who may want children should think about sperm banking first. Surgery can cause bleeding and infection. Long-term problems can include nerve damage, chronic kidney disease, and damage to the inner ear from the medicines used.
After treatment, men have a higher risk of cancer in the other testicle. Check the other testicle regularly.
When to see a doctor
Contact a doctor if you have symptoms of testicular cancer, such as a lump or swelling in a testicle. After treatment, report any unusual symptoms to a doctor right away. A monthly self-exam of the testicles may help find cancer early. Screening for the general population is not recommended in the United States.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can examine a lump, order an ultrasound, and refer you to a urologist or oncologist. They can also help with follow-up visits.
Common questions
Can testicular cancer be cured?
Yes, it often can be. Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable and curable cancers. The best plan depends on the type and the stage.
Does testicular cancer always cause pain?
No. It may show up as a painless lump, or there may be no symptoms at all. Some people do have discomfort or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
Can I still have children after testicular cancer treatment?
It depends on the treatment, because some treatments can cause infertility that may be permanent. Men who may want children later should think about sperm banking before treatment starts.
Does a vasectomy cause testicular cancer?
No. There is no link between a vasectomy and testicular cancer.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Testicular cancer
- National Cancer Institute - Treatment for Testicular Cancer
- American Cancer Society - Tests for Testicular Cancer
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
