The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports that there were approximately 8,400 new cases of testicular cancer in 2009, and this disease was fatal in approximately 380 men. As the numbers show, the risk of dying of testicular cancer is relatively low: the five-year survival rate of men with testicular cancer is 95 percent. The high survival rate is due to the fact that testicular cancer generally responds quite well to treatment. There are multiple common symptoms of this type of cancer.
Enlargement or Lump
Merck Manuals, an online medical library, reports that cancer of the testis often causes the testicles to become enlarged, or there may be an abnormal lump in the testicles. The testes normally feels like a smooth oval, according to Merck Manuals. During testicular cancer, there is often a firm lump in or attached to the testicles; this lump often changes and grows. The ACS advises men not to confuse the epididymis, a normal structure attached to the upper or middle side of the testis, with an abnormal lump that may be cancer. Normal testes also have blood vessels, tubes thorough which sperm flows, and supporting tissues that may feel "bumpy."
Sudden Swelling
Merck Manuals reports that sometimes the cancer in the testicle causes blood vessels to burst. If the blood vessels do burst, the testicles will suddenly become quite enlarged and swollen.
Pain and Discomfort
The ACS notes that most testicular cancers are not painful in a way that injury or other testicular conditions may be. Most commonly, a lump in the testicle is painless. However, ACS adds that some men describe the lump as being uncomfortable, and may also have an ache in the lower belly. Merck Manuals reports that sudden swelling due to rupture of blood vessels in the testicles is often quite painful.
Non-testicular Symptoms
Some symptoms of testicular cancer affect other parts of the body than the testicles. The ACS reports that the most common type of testicular cancer is germ cell tumors, which begin in sperm cells. This type of tumor makes an excess of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin. High levels of this hormone may cause breasts to grow in men, which may feel tender. A less common type of testicular cancer begins in the Leydig cells of the testicle. Leydig cell tumors may make an excess of androgens (male sex hormones) or estrogens (female sex hormones). According to ACS, an excess of androgens generally does not cause any abnormal symptoms; however, in boys, androgens may cause facial and body hair to grow at a very young age. If the tumor causes an increase in estrogen levels in men, they may feel a decrease in libido, and may have enlarged breasts.
