Testicular cancer: why a new lump should be checked soon
Our Oakwood office on Mundy Mill Road is opening soon. Meanwhile, our Braselton clinicians are ready to see you, and procedures are scheduled at our Lawrenceville Clinic & Surgery Center.
A lump that does not hurt, swelling or heaviness in one testicle should be seen by a urologist promptly. Many lumps turn out to be harmless, but testicular cancer is very treatable, especially when it is found early.
Which signs should you watch for?
A firm lump on the testicle, a change in size or feel, a sense of heaviness in the scrotum, or a dull ache low in the belly or groin. It is most common in men between their late teens and forties, which is why monthly self-checks matter. Sudden, severe pain in a testicle is an emergency, so go straight to an emergency room.
When should you see a urologist?
Within days, not months, of finding a new lump or swelling. Do not wait to see whether it goes away.
How do we check a testicular lump?
An exam and a scrotal ultrasound show whether the lump is inside the testicle, where cancer starts, or in the tissue around it, where cysts and swollen veins are found. Blood tests for tumor markers help with diagnosis and follow-up, and FDG PET/CT or CT scans check for spread when cancer is confirmed.
Which treatments do we offer?
- Radical orchiectomy, removal of the affected testicle through a small groin incision, which both diagnoses and treats most testicular cancers.
- Fertility planning, including sperm banking, discussed before treatment.
- Robotic RPLND, removal of lymph nodes at the back of the abdomen when the cancer has spread there or may.
- Chemotherapy or radiation, coordinated with oncology when the cancer calls for it.
What is recovery like?
Orchiectomy is an outpatient operation. Expect soreness for several days and limits on heavy lifting for a couple of weeks. Follow-up visits with blood tests and scans continue for several years to catch any return early.
What do patients ask about testicular cancer?
Is every testicular lump cancer?
No. Cysts, fluid collections and enlarged veins are common causes. An ultrasound tells them apart quickly.
Does testicular cancer hurt?
Usually not at first, which is why a lump that does not hurt still needs a visit.
Will I still be able to start a family?
Many men can. One healthy testicle often keeps fertility and hormones normal, and sperm banking before treatment adds protection.
What is an RPLND?
An operation that removes lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen where testicular cancer tends to spread. Our robotic surgeons perform it with small incisions.
Will I need chemotherapy?
It depends on the cancer type and stage. Some men need surgery and close follow-up, nothing more.
Which video explains this?
Watch on YouTube: #015 - April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month – Know the Signs, Get Checked, Stay HealthyWhat the video covers: An Advanced Urology urologist covers the basics of testicular cancer for Testicular Cancer Awareness Month: the signs and the value of getting checked.
Watch on YouTube: #021 - FDG PET / CT for Kidney, Bladder and Testicular CancersWhat the video covers: A podcast episode explaining the FDG PET/CT scan and how it is used to look for kidney, bladder and testicular cancers.
Videos open on Advanced Urology's YouTube channel.
Which of our urologists focus on this?
These physicians list it among their focus areas on their Advanced Urology profiles. You can ask for one by name when you book.
- Dr. Michael F. Nordsiek, Lawrenceville: Testicular Cancer
Which of our articles go deeper?
Where can you be seen for this?
At the Lawrenceville Clinic & Surgery Center on Crown Pointe Way, where testing and outpatient procedures share one building, or at the Braselton Clinic on Old Winder Highway for visits, lab work and follow-ups. Our Oakwood Clinic is opening soon. Call (678) 344-8900 or book online, and see your first visit and what to bring before you come.
Ready to talk with our urologists? We're here for you.