Testicular cancer, cancer originating in the male testes, is a rare form of cancer accounting for only 1 percent of all male cancers, according to TC-Cancer.com. Although rare, it is the most common type of cancer affecting men between the ages of 15 and 35 as reported by The Testicular Cancer Resource Center. When detected in the early stages, testicular cancer is very treatable with a high survival rate. It is therefore important for men to know the symptoms and perform self-examinations routinely.
Testicle Changes
The first symptom a patient usually notices is a lump or mass in a testicle. In fact, TC-Cancer.com reports that 90 percent of patients present to the doctor with a noticeable lump. They may notice it through a self-examination or they may feel a sensation of heaviness in the testicle. The lump is usually very small, no bigger than a pea, but any change in the testicle should be taken seriously and presented to a doctor for examination.
In some cases a lump may not be present, but the testicle may look or feel different. Some patients notice one testicle shrinking in size. In contrast others may experience an enlarged testicle. This may be due to swelling triggered by the cancer. Some may notice a change in the consistency of a testicle, often feeling harder than normal.
Abdominal Pain
The heavy sensation felt in the testicles due to swelling can cause symptoms in the lower abdomen. Men commonly describe it as a dull achy feeling.
Breast Changes
There are several different types of testicular cancer. The most common form, as indicated by the American Cancer Society, is a germ cell tumor. These tumors originate in the germ cells, which are the cells that produce the sperm.
This type of cancer secretes a hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The hCG, more commonly known as the pregnancy hormone, stimulates breasts to grow. Therefore men with this form of cancer may experience breast enlargement and tenderness.
Another type of testicular cancer is called a Leydig cell tumor because it originates in the Leydig cells, which are responsible for producing the male sex hormones. This type of tumor may produce increased levels of androgens such as testosterone, or increased levels of estrogen, a female hormone. The production of excess estrogen can trigger breast growth as well.
Lower Back Pain
Testicular cancer may metastasize, or spread, beyond the testicles before it is detected. Even in these cases only 25 percent of men, according to the American Cancer Society, will experience symptoms. When the cancer begins to spread, it will invade the lymph nodes in the lower abdomen. The most common symptom at this stage is lower back pain.
