A young man's disease

Signs and symptoms
In about 90 percent of cases of testicular cancer, men have a painless or an uncomfortable lump on a testicle, or they may notice testicular enlargement or swelling. Men with testicular cancer often report a sensation of heaviness or aching in the lower abdomen or scrotum. Some men with testicular cancer have no symptoms at all, and their cancer is found during medical testing for other conditions.

Sometimes, imaging tests done to find the cause of infertility can uncover a small testicular cancer.

A number of noncancerous conditions, such as testicle injury, can produce symptoms similar to those of testicular cancer. Inflammation of the testicle, known as orchitis, can cause painful swelling. Causes of orchitis include viral or bacterial infections. About one man in five who contracts mumps as an adult experiences orchitis in one or both testes.

If you have any of the signs or symptoms described above, discuss them with your doctor without delay. Remember, the sooner you receive an accurate diagnosis, the sooner you can start treatment and the more effective your treatment will be.

Testicular examination
Doctors agree that examination of a man's testicles is an important part of a general physical examination. The American Cancer Society includes testicular examination in its recommendations for routine cancer-related checkups.

The issue of regular testicular self-examination is more controversial. The American Cancer Society believes it is important to make men aware of testicular cancer and remind them that any testicular mass should be evaluated by a doctor without delay. Some doctors believe that delay in seeking medical attention after discovering a mass is the most common reason for a delay in treatment. Other doctors believe that not noticing masses promptly is also an important factor in delaying treatment, and they recommend monthly testicular self-examination by all men after puberty.

The best time to perform the self-exam is during or after a bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed. Stand in front of a mirror and hold the penis out of the way. Examine each testicle separately. Hold the testicle between the thumbs and fingers with both hands, and roll it gently between the fingers. Look and feel for any hard lumps or nodules (smooth rounded masses) or any change in the size, shape or consistency of the testes. Contact your doctor if you detect any troublesome signs. Be aware that the testicles contain blood vessels, supporting tissues and tubes that conduct sperm; some men may confuse these with cancer. If you have any doubts, ask your doctor.

-- Courtesy of the American Cancer Society