Men’s Health: Testicular Cancer

Introduction

Testicular cancer is a general term for all types of testicular cancer which can affect anyone with testicles. This includes men, transgender women, and anyone assigned male at birth.

Around 2,300 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK each year, accounting for around 1% of all cancers which occur in men and mostly affecting men aged between 15 and 49.

Most of these cancers develop from germ cells in the testicles and are sometimes called germ cell tumours (GCTs).

Types of testicular cancer:

The most common form of the disease is germ cell testicular cancer, which accounts for around 95% of all cases. Germ cells are a type of cell that the body uses to create sperm.

• There are two main types of testicular germ cell tumours...
• • Seminomas – which usually affect those aged 15 to 55.
  • Non-seminomas – which usually affect those aged 15 to 35.
• Less common types of testicular cancer include...
• • Leydig cell tumours – which account for around 1 to 3% of cases
  • Sertoli cell tumours – which account for less than 1% of cases

What to look out for?

The most-common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump in a testicle which is usually painless but may suddenly get bigger and become painful. A dull ache, pain or feeling of heaviness in the scrotum can also be a sign.

If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body, it may cause:

• • Pain in the back or lower abdomen
  • Weight loss
  • A cough
  • Breathlessness
  • Feeling unwell
  • A lump in the neck.

Outlook

Testicular cancer is one of the most treatable types of cancer, and the outlook is one of the best for cancers.

In England and Wales, almost all men (99%) survive for a year or more after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, and 98% survive for five years or more after diagnosis.

Almost all men who are treated for testicular germ cell tumours are cured, and it's rare for the condition to return more than five years later.

Treatment almost always includes the surgical removal of the affected testicle (orchidectomy or orchiectomy), which does not usually affect fertility or the ability to have sex.