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Testicular Cancer, Tests, Diagnosis, And How To Perform A Testicular Self-Exam

by — Last updated: 2015-06-16 in Men's Health

Table of Contents

Do you regularly — or ever — perform testicular self-exams? If not, you should. Here's why, as well as how.

In many instances, men will discover testicular cancer either unintentionally or while performing a self-exam. Some other men will have the disease diagnosed by a physician during a normal routine physical examination. To determine if a male’s lump is actually cancerous, a physician might order any or all of the following tests:

  • Blood test: A doctor might order blood testing to find out the levels of tumor markers in a man’s blood. Tumor makers are substances that are normally found in the human blood, but levels being elevated could indicate a person may have cancer. A high level of tumor marker in the blood doesn’t always mean cancer, but it could help a doctor determine the proper diagnosis.
  • Ultrasound: An ultrasound of the testicles will involve the use of sound waves to create a picture of the scrotum and testicles. During this ultrasound, a man will lay on his back with his legs spread. A doctor or ultrasound technologist will apply a clear gel to the region and use a hand-held probe to produce the image. Performing an ultrasound can help a physician get a determination of the nature and size of any lumps and if they are filled with fluid or not.
  • Surgery: If a doctor wants to find out if a man’s lump is cancerous, it may be necessary to perform a testicular biopsy. The testicle will be removed and then sent off to a laboratory to be studied to find out if it is malignant and if so, what type of cancer is present.

How To Perform A Testicular Self-Examination

A man can perform a monthly testicular self-examination in the privacy of his own home, in order to track if there are any changes and to help aid in early detection and diagnosis. The following steps explain how to perform a testicular self-exam at home:

  • Gently touch and feel the scrotal sac and find your testicles
  • Using one hand, stabilize the testicle. Using fingers and thumb on each hand, firmly but gently feel each testicle and make sure to do it to the entire surface.
  • Check the other testicle in the same manner.

What If You Do Find A Lump?

When detected and diagnosed early, testicular cancer is highly treatable. With early detection the methods for treating this cancer are much better and often less aggressive than what would have to be used if it were found in later stages. The type of treatment a man receives for testicular cancer will depend on its stage and type. Most commonly the methods used for treatment include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Physicians most often use the survival rates for any cancer as a means of discussing a person’s prognosis. Some people with cancer are curious to find out the survival rates for others with the same type of cancer, while others may not find the information to be helpful.

READ The Ten Most Common Testicular Cancer Myths

Survival rates for testicular cancer depend on the previous outcomes experienced by a large number of people. However, it is important to remember that each person’s situation is very different as is what will happen in any person’s particular case. Many other issues play an important role into the outcome a man will have when battling testicular cancer and how well he responds to treatment. It is a good idea to speak with your physician and/or cancer specialists to find out more information about your testicular cancer prognosis and to find out what type of treatment options would work best for you.