Testis Cancer

About The Testis

The testis is the male reproductive organ located in the scrotum. The reproductive function of the testis is to make sperm. The testis also makes 95% of the testosterone circulating in the blood.

What Is Testis Cancer?

Testis cancer is when abnormal cancer cells grow from the testis.

Symptoms

The most common symptom is

• A painless lump or swelling in the testis. However not all lumps in the testicles are cancerous.

Other less common symptoms include:

• Breast enlargement from hormonal effects
• Shortness of breath due to cancer spread in the lungs.

Diagnosis

• Examination of the testis can confirm a firm lump.
• Ultrasound of the testis to get more detail on size and vascular supply of lump in testis.
• Blood tests to check for tumour markers that may be secreted by the tumour into the blood.
• CT scan of the abdomen and chest to see if the cancer has spread outside the testis.

Treatment

If treated promptly and appropriately testis cancer has a very high cure rate of 98% at 5 years.

The initial treatment is to surgically remove the testis via a cut made in the groin. In most cases this in itself is curative.

Chemotherapy is commonly given after surgery even if the cancer is confined to the testis. This is because studies have shown that in such situations chemotherapy helps with long term cure rates.

Men who have cancer outside the testis not only require their testis to be removed but will have chemotherapy and /or radiotherapy after surgery.
A small percentage of such men may require further surgery to remove lymph nodes if there has not been any response to the chemo/radiotherapy.

To find out more about Radical Orchidectomy, click the button below.