HealthInfo Canterbury
Testicular cancer
Mate pukupuku raho
Testicular cancer is where cells in a testicle become abnormal and grow into a tumour. This usually starts in the cells that develop into sperm.
No one knows what causes testicular cancer, though there are risks factors.
- Having undescended testicles – Men with undescended testicles are three times more likely to develop testicular cancer than those whose testicles descend at birth or shortly after birth.
- Being Māori – Māori men have a higher risk of getting testicular cancer.
- Being young – Testicular cancer affects younger men more than older men.
- Having a family history – Having a close family member with a history of testicular cancer or an undescended testicle increases your risk.
- Having a history of testicular cancer – If you've had testicular cancer, you have an increased risk of developing testicular cancer in your other testicle.
Symptoms of testicular cancer
Most cases of testicular cancer are found during medical testing for other conditions or when doing a testicular self-examination.
Symptoms include:
- a lump in your testicles, which can feel hard, is often painless and can be about the size of a pea (though it can be larger)
- a change in the size or feel of your testicles
- a dull ache or sharp pain in your testicles or scrotum that comes and goes
- a feeling of heaviness in your scrotum.
Checking for testicular cancer
It's very important to regularly check your testicles for any new changes. Changes to look out for include lumps, a change in size, a feeling of heaviness or unevenness in the scrotum, and any discomfort.
See the Testicular Cancer NZ video below about how to examine your testicles.
A lump in your testicle isn't always cancer but it's best to get it checked.
Diagnosing testicular cancer
Your general practice team will ask you questions about your general health and medical history. They will examine you both lying and standing to check the position of the lump. They may hold a light against your scrotum to see if the light passes through.
If your general practice team thinks you may have testicular cancer, they will refer you to a specialist for further assessment.
Tests for testicular cancer include a urine test, blood test, ultrasound and a biopsy (taking a tiny sample of tissue).
Treating testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is nearly always curable if it's found early. If it isn't found early, the cancer can spread to lymph nodes and other parts of your body.
Your treatment will depend on the type and stage of testicular cancer. The first treatment option is usually removing the affected testicle. This is called an orchidectomy (or-kid-ec-tom-ee) or orchiectomy (or-ki-ec-tom-ee). Chemotherapy and radiation treatment may follow this.
Getting help for testicular cancer
See your general practice team if you notice a lump, any swelling or a change in one or both of your testicles.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Testicular Cancer NZ
A website about testicular cancer website created by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand.
- NHS – Testicular cancer
Information about your testicles, testicular cancer, what to look for, diagnosis and treatment.
- Cancer Society – Testicular cancer
Provides support, information and practical help to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed April 2023.
SourcesReview key: HITSP-26704
