{"id":20,"date":"2018-01-30T20:44:13","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T20:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/urology\/conditions\/testicular-cancer\/"},"modified":"2025-04-28T18:03:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T22:03:44","slug":"testicular-cancer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.saintjohnscancer.org\/urology\/conditions\/testicular-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Testicular Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":10,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-20","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"layers":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layer_content_sidebar","layer_label":"","layer_headline":"","layer_intro":"","layer_content":"

Often categorized as a growth or lump on the testicles, testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males aged 15 to 35.<\/p>\n

What is Testicular Cancer?<\/h2>\n

\"testicle
An ultrasound scan can reveal the presence of a mass in the testicle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>Testicles are part of the male reproductive system. The testicles are normally a little smaller than a golf ball in adult men and are contained within a sac of skin called the scrotum. Their main functions are to produce sperm and testosterone.<\/p>\n

Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles (testes) and is rare compared with other types of cancer. Though it is more common in younger males, it can be treated effectively. Depending on the stage of testicular cancer, you may receive one of several treatments, or a combination.<\/p>\n

Though the cause of testicular is not definitive in most cases, we do know that testicular cancer occurs when healthy cells in a testicle become altered, developing into small growths (tumors). Outcomes remain favorable for testicular cancer even when cancer has metastasized beyond the primary site.<\/p>\n

Types of Testicular Cancer<\/h3>\n

More than 90 percent of cancers of the testicle develop in germ cells. These are the cells that are responsible for producing sperm. There are two main types of germ cell tumors:<\/p>\n

Seminomas<\/h4>\n

These tumors tend to grow and spread more slowly than non-seminomas. More than 95 percent of seminomas occur in men between the ages of 25 and 45.<\/p>\n

Non-seminomas<\/h4>\n

These types of germ cell tumors usually occur in men earlier in life from late teens to their early 30s.<\/p>\n

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer?<\/h3>\n

Cancer usually affects one of the two testicles and is usually detected prior to medical diagnosis. Symptoms may include one or more of the following:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • A lump or swelling of a testicle<\/li>\n
  • Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum<\/li>\n
  • A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum<\/li>\n
  • A dull ache in the abdomen or groin<\/li>\n
  • A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum<\/li>\n
  • Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts<\/li>\n
  • Low or mid-back pain<\/li>\n
  • Early puberty<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What are the Risk Factors for Testicular Cancer:<\/h3>\n

    Altered testicular cells in the testicles may develop for a variety of reasons, though there are many conditions that may present greater risk.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • A family history of testicular cancer<\/li>\n
    • Age \u2013 testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males ages 15 to 35<\/li>\n
    • Race \u2013 testicular cancer is more common in Caucasian men<\/li>\n
    • An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism) during fetal development\n
    • Males with cryptorchidism are many times more likely to develop testicular cancer than those with normally descended testicles.<\/li>\n
    • Abnormal testicle development<\/li>\n
    • Obesity<\/li>\n
    • HIV infection<\/li>\n
    • Carcinoma in situ of the testicle<\/li>\n
    • Having had testicular cancer before<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      <\/p>\n