Testicular Cancer

Expert Care and Treatment for Genitourinary Cancers

The Lank Center includes medical, urologic, and radiation oncologists who treat patients with prostate, kidney, bladder, and testicular cancer, as well as adrenocortical carcinoma.

Your care team will collaborate to develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that offers the most advanced therapies and an array of supportive resources. 

Genitourinary Cancer Treatment Center

What Is Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer is a disease in which cancer grows in one or both testicles. The testicles are two egg-shaped glands that produce testosterone (male hormone) and sperm. The testicles are located below the penis inside a sac of loose skin called the scrotum. 

Testicular Cancer: One of the Most Curable Types of Cancers 

This is the most common cancer in men age 15-40, but can occur at any age. The treatment approach depends on the type of testicular cancer and whether or not the cancer has spread beyond the testicle (stage of cancer). 

Risk Factors 

Risk factors for testicular cancer include: 

  • Having family members with testicular cancer 
  • Abnormal development of the testicles 
  • History of undescended testicle 
  • Being white 
  • Exposure to certain chemicals in the environment, such as polyvinylchloride and phthalates 

Signs and Symptoms 

The signs and symptoms for testicular cancer include: 

  • Painless lump or swelling in either testicle (most common) 
  • Dull ache in the lower abdomen or the groin 
  • Sudden build-up of swelling in the scrotum 
  • Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum 
  • Back pain 
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Initial Diagnostics 

Testicular cancer is diagnosed by having a testicular exam, an ultrasound (painless) and blood tests. 

If You Think You Have Testicular Cancer... 

First, don't panic. Then, don't delay seeing a doctor — early-stage testicular cancer can often be treated with surgery alone, reducing the need for other treatments that may have longer-term effects on your health. If you think you have signs or symptoms of testicular cancer, it is important that you contact your doctor. 

Because testicular cancer is rare, it is important to be evaluated by an experienced team with special expertise and knowledge of testicular tumors. If you are diagnosed with testicular cancer, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center's entire team of testicular cancer experts will work together to determine what treatment is best for you. 

Find out more about testicular cancer from the National Cancer Institute. 

Self-Exam How-To

Learn how to do a testicular self-exam, courtesy of the Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation.

Why Choose Us

If you or a loved one has testicular cancer, or if you think you may have testicular cancer, the testicular cancer team at the Lank Center for Genitourinary Cancer at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center is here to help. Our internationally recognized team of experts works together to provide compassionate care and personalized cancer treatment for each testicular cancer patient and his family. 

We provide comprehensive services to patients with these cancers, including:  

  • An individualized therapy plan that accounts for your specific needs and may be based on results from personalized genetic testing 
  • Access to the latest clinical trials
  • 99 percent patient cure rate for early-stage cancer using the least aggressive treatments available 
  • Expert and comprehensive care for patients wishing to start a family
  • Unique long-term survivorship programs for patients 
  • Multidisciplinary care delivered by specialists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital