Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer

A sign is something that can be observed and recognized by a doctor or healthcare professional (for example, a rash). A symptom is something that only the person experiencing it can feel and know (for example, pain or tiredness).

The signs and symptoms of testicular cancer can also be caused by other health conditions. Many of the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer are vague and often mild. It is important to have any unusual symptoms checked by a doctor, especially if they happen frequently and last longer than 2–4 weeks.

Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer are:

• painless lump on the testicle – can vary in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres
• persistent lump on the testicle that does not go away
• feeling of heaviness or aching in the lower abdomen or scrotum
• painful testicle
• swelling of a testicle
• enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen or neck

Late signs and symptoms

Late signs and symptoms occur as the cancer grows larger or spreads to other parts of the body, including other organs.

• back pain – if the cancer spreads to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes
• buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
• cough with or without blood-stained sputum – if the cancer spreads to the lungs
• shortness of breath due to buildup of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)

Rare signs and symptoms

Rare signs and symptoms of testicular cancer are:

• excessive hair growth in boys
  • This can be caused by stromal tumours that grow from the Leydig cells.
  • A stromal tumour may produce large amounts of male sex hormones that stimulate growth of facial and body hair at a very young age.
• male breast tenderness or enlargement (gynecomastia)
  • Certain types of germ cell tumours produce the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which stimulates breast development.
  • Stromal cell tumours that produce large amounts of female sex hormones cause breast growth and loss of sexual desire.