Symptoms of testicular cancer

The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a lump or swelling in your testicle.

Testicular symptoms to look out for include:

• a lump or swelling in part of one testicle

• a testicle that gets bigger

• a heavy scrotum

• discomfort or pain in your testicle or scrotum

The scrotum is the sack of skin that surrounds your testicles. These symptoms can be similar to other conditions that affect the testicles, such as infections. But it is important that you see a doctor if you have:

• any of these symptoms

• symptoms that are unusual for you

• symptoms that don’t go away or don’t improve

Your symptoms are unlikely to be cancer but it is important to get them checked by a doctor. Try not to be embarrassed. Doctors are used to discussing intimate problems and will try to put you at ease.

A lump or swelling in the testicle

A lump or swelling in part of one testicle is the most common symptom of a testicular cancer. It can be as small as a pea but may be much larger.

Most testicular lumps are not cancer. But do contact your GP surgery to make an appointment to see your doctor, so you can be checked.

Your doctor may shine a strong light through your scrotum. This test is called transillumination. This is useful because:

• light shows through a harmless, fluid filled cyst (for example a hydrocoele)
• light can't show through a cancer, which is a solid lump

It is usual for some men to have different size testicles. But see your doctor if the size changes, or you notice an unusual difference in size between one testicle and the other. 

A heavy scrotum

Your scrotum may feel heavy. Or you might notice that your scrotum feels firmer or harder.

Discomfort or pain in a testicle or the scrotum

Testicular cancer is not usually painful. But the first symptom for some men is a sharp pain in the testicle or scrotum.

Less common symptoms

If the cancer has spread to lymph nodes (glands)

Sometimes testicular cancer cells can spread into lymph nodes at the back of the tummy (abdomen). This can cause backache or a dull ache in the lower tummy. Your doctor may call these lymph nodes the retroperitoneal lymph nodes.

Testicular cancer can spread to other lymph nodes lower down, such as the pelvic lymph nodes.

The cells can also spread to lymph nodes in the centre of your chest between the lungs – in an area called the mediastinum. If this happens you could have one or more of the following:

• a cough

• difficulty breathing

• difficulty swallowing

• a swelling in your chest

• weight loss

• back pain

If testicular cancer has spread to lymph nodes in other parts of the body you might feel lumps there, such as around the collarbone or in the neck.

Symptoms if the cancer has spread to the lungs

Sometimes testicular cancer spreads to the lungs. If it has spread to the lungs you may have a cough or feel breathless. 

Testicular cancer can usually be cured, even if it has spread to other parts of the body when it is diagnosed.

Symptoms due to hormones

Many testicular cancers make hormones that can show up in blood tests. Occasionally, men with testicular cancer have tender or swollen breasts because of these hormones.