---
title: "Testicular cancer: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers"
description: "Testicular cancer — lump in testicle, self-check, diagnosis, and highly treatable NHS treatment including surgery and chemotherapy."
url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/
robots: noindex
---

# Testicular cancer: Symptoms & Treatment | HealthAnswers

Health A–Z

Testicular cancer — lump in testicle, self-check, diagnosis, and highly treatable NHS treatment including surgery and chemotherapy.

Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026

## Quick answer

What is testicular cancer? Testicular cancer mainly affects men aged 15 to 49 — most present with painless lump or swelling in a testicle. It is one of the most curable cancers — over 95% survive 10 years when treated promptly. See a GP within 2 weeks for any new lump or change in testicle — do not wait. Diagnosis by ultrasound and blood markers (AFP, HCG, LDH). Treatment — surgery to remove testicle (orchidectomy) plus chemotherapy or radiotherapy depending on type and stage.

## Who is this page for?

This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Testicular cancer, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally.

## Who should skip this page?

Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland.

On this page 8 sections

## Key facts about testicular cancer

- Testicular cancer affects about 2,400 men yearly in UK — peak age 15 to 49 but any age possible.
- Most lumps are not cancer — but every new testicular lump needs urgent GP assessment and ultrasound.
- Painless hard lump on testicle is classic presentation — not always painful.
- Seminoma and non-seminoma germ cell tumours are main types — treatment differs slightly.
- Orchidectomy does not usually affect fertility if one testicle remains — bank sperm before chemo if desired.

## Testicular cancer — young men’s cancer that yields to treatment

**Testicular cancer** — **germ cell tumours** — **~2,400 UK cases yearly** — **peak 15–49** — **one of most curable solid cancers** when found early.

**Embarrassment delays diagnosis** — **2-week GP referral** is **standard, not overreaction**.

See [testicular lump](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/testicular-lump/) symptom guide.

## Presentation

**Classic:**

- painless hard lump within testis parenchyma

- increasing size , heaviness

**Less common:**

- pain — do not reassure as infection without scan

- acute hydrocele — ultrasound sees through

**Advanced (rare if aware):**

- retroperitoneal mass — back ache

- respiratory symptoms

- gynaecomastia

## Types

**Germ cell (95%):**

- seminoma — 40s peak , radiosensitive , slow spread

- non-seminoma — embryonal, teratoma, yolk sac, choriocarcinoma — mixed common , AFP/HCG may rise

**Non-germ cell rare** — ** Leydig/Sertoli**

## Diagnosis

- GP examination — intratesticular mass

- Scrotal ultrasound — hypoechoic lesion — do not biopsy testicle

- Tumour markers — AFP, β-hCG, LDH

- Staging CT — abdomen/pelvis/chest

- Radical inguinal orchidectomy — diagnostic and therapeutic — NOT transcrotal

## Staging and treatment

**Stage I** — orchidectomy:

- seminoma — surveillance or carboplatin 1–2 cycles or radiotherapy

- non-seminoma — surveillance or adjuvant BEP 1 cycle if high-risk features

**Stage II–III:**

- BEP chemotherapy — 3–4 cycles — cures most metastatic

- RPLND (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) — selected residual mass post-chemo

- salvage chemo — high-dose — refractory

## Fertility and hormones

**Sperm banking** before **chemo** — **cisplatin** toxic to sperm

**One testicle** — **usually adequate testosterone** — **monitor**

**Prosthesis** — **cosmetic option**

## Testicular torsion vs cancer

| | Torsion | Cancer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Onset | Sudden severe pain | Gradual lump |
| Age | Adolescent common | 15–49 peak |
| Action | Emergency surgery <6h | 2-week referral |

**Sudden pain** — **A&E first** — **torsion excluded**.

## Self-awareness

**No national screening** — **know normal**, **report change**.

**Movember**, **Cancer Research UK** campaigns raise awareness.

**Painless lump** — **GP this week** — **orchidectomy + brief chemo if needed** beats **metastatic disease** months later.

## ! When to see a GP about testicular cancer

See a GP within 2 weeks for any lump, swelling, hardness, or change in shape of a testicle — or persistent ache or heaviness. 2-week wait cancer pathway. Do not delay because lump is painless. Seek same-day care if sudden severe testicular pain — torsion emergency — not cancer but must exclude immediately.

## Common questions about testicular cancer

How do I check my testicles for cancer? After warm bath or shower, roll each testicle between thumb and fingers — feel for hard lump or change from normal. Know what epididymis (soft tube behind) feels like — do not confuse. Any new lump — GP not watchful waiting. Monthly check not formally recommended but awareness helps. What does testicular cancer feel like? Usually firm painless lump on testicle itself — not usually on epididymis. Testicle may feel heavier or swollen. Some present with pain — less common. Advanced — back pain (retroperitoneal nodes), cough (lung mets), gynaecomastia (HCG-secreting tumour). Is testicular cancer curable? Yes — among highest cure rates of all cancers — over 95% 10-year survival overall. Even metastatic germ cell tumours often curable with BEP chemotherapy (bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin). Early stage may need orchidectomy alone or plus surveillance. Will I lose both testicles? Usually only affected testicle removed (radical inguinal orchidectomy). Prosthetic testicle can be inserted. Remaining testicle often maintains testosterone and fertility. Chemotherapy may temporarily reduce fertility — sperm banking offered before treatment if wish children. What are tumour markers in testicular cancer? Blood tests AFP, beta-HCG, LDH — help diagnosis and monitor treatment — not screening tests for asymptomatic men. Seminoma may have normal markers — ultrasound and histology key.

## Sources

- [NHS — Testicular cancer](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/)
- [NICE — Testicular cancer](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12)
- [Macmillan — Testicular cancer](https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/testicular-cancer)