Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer

Men who regularly self-examine their testicles may find that a lump has developed and is felt in the body of the testicle. This needs to be assessed urgently as it may be a testicular cancer.

Testicular cancers mainly arise in men under the age of 35 and although it can develop in older men, it is rare in the older age group. Testicular tumours can easily be felt and confirmed accurately using an ultrasound of the scrotum. Once confirmed, a CT scan can detect if there has been any spread of the tumour elsewhere in the body.

The surgical treatment of these tumours involves removing the testicle through an incision in the groin. At the same time, a testicular prosthesis can be inserted to replace the original testicle. Once the testicle has been analysed by our pathology team, patients are assessed by a specialist oncology doctor in order to determine whether further treatment is required. Overall men diagnosed with testicular cancer respond very well to treatment and have very good survival rates.

The team at London Men’s Clinic ensure that all patients undergoing surgery for testicular cancer are offered the option of sperm banking so that patients can still start a family following chemotherapy treatment. The team are also experts in complex testicular cancer and offer testis preserving surgery when it is unclear that the lesion is benign or malignant. All patients are offered a testicular prosthesis at the time of surgery.

We pride ourselves on expert management through a multidisciplinary approach with discussion of cases at a multidisciplinary meeting. The clinic also has close links with expert oncologists specialising in testicular cancer.

What else can cause scrotal swellings?

There are several other causes of scrotal swellings. The commonest are hydroceles, epididymal cysts and hernias which have descended into the scrotum. These conditions can easily be diagnosed and surgical correction can be offered.