Testicular Cancer: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?

If you have testicular cancer, you may notice certain warning signs. These are called symptoms. You can also have testicular cancer without having any symptoms.

Symptoms of testicular cancer may include:

• A lump on your testicle. The lump is often painless, but it can be uncomfortable.

• Swelling of a testicle or a change in how it feels.

• Sudden swelling in the scrotum.

• Discomfort or pain in a testicle or in the scrotum.

• A feeling of heaviness or aching in the scrotum, groin, or lower belly.

• Swelling in your breasts. (This is rare, but it can be caused by hormone changes linked to the cancer.)

• Pain in your lower back. This can be a sign that testicular cancer may have spread to your lymph nodes.

• Shortness of breath, chest pain, or a cough. These can be signs that testicular cancer may have spread to your lungs.

• Infertility. In rare cases, you may have no symptoms other than infertility. Tests to find out why you are infertile may lead to finding testicular cancer.

When to see your doctor

Many of these symptoms are more likely caused by problems other than cancer. But it's important to see your doctor if you have these symptoms.