What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer?

The most common sign of testicular cancer is a lump on a testicle and/or swelling or enlargement of a testicle. Most cases of testicular cancer are first found by the patient. Sometimes the cancer is first found during a routine physical examination in which the physician examines the patient’s testicles. Some cases of testicular cancer do not produce any symptoms in the early stages.

The following signs and symptoms may be a cause for concern and should prompt a man to see his doctor:

• A painless swelling or a lump on either testicle
• Any change in the size, shape, appearance, or feeling of a testicle
• Pain or discomfort (with or without swelling) in either testicle or the scrotum
• A heavy feeling in the scrotum. This may be experienced as a hardness or firmness to touch in the scrotum.
• Dull aching feeling in the abdomen
• A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
• Breast tenderness or growth (although uncommon, this can be the result of hormones that some tumors produce that affect the breasts)