Testicular cancer: Cancer care with an eye toward your future

Many men with testicular cancer receive their diagnosis at a time when they are considering starting a family or if they feel a lump in their testicle. 

Your testicles are an important part of your reproductive system. The doctors at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center care about your life after testicular cancer. We offer men advanced testicular cancer treatment and fertility preservation options.

The type of cancer you have might affect what symptoms you develop. Not all men with testicular cancer experience symptoms. Those who do might notice:

• A lump or swelling in the testicle

• Pain in the testicle

• Breast growth or soreness

• Early puberty

Signs that cancer has spread from the testicle to other parts of your body include:

• Chest pain

• Cough

• Headaches or confusion

• Low back or belly pain

• Shortness of breath

• Weight loss

• Night sweats

Diagnosing testicular cancer

To diagnose testicular cancer, your doctor will ask about symptoms. They will also perform a physical exam, feeling for swelling or lumps. Other tests for testicular cancer include:

• Blood tests 

• Imaging tests

We offer a range of options, including fertility preservation and clinical trials. Standard testicular cancer treatments include: 

• Chemotherapy

• Surgical removal of the testicle (partial or total)

• Surgical removal of lymph nodes (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection)

• Robotic surgery: We offer robotic removal of lymph nodes for patients that are good candidates for this approach.  This approach is beneficial as it avoids larger incisions and lead to faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, less pain and more.

Sperm banking 

If you have testicular cancer, you may be worried about how it will affect your ability to have children. UW Health's Generations Fertility Care offers fertility preservation, giving people with cancer the chance to conceive a child after treatment. 

The team offers sperm banking, also called sperm cryopreservation. During this procedure, sperm is removed from the testicle and frozen for later use. 

Treatment through clinical research 

If you have testicular cancer, a clinical trial might be an option. Clinical trials give you access to new treatments or medical devices. Learn more

Testicular cancer is a type of genitourinary cancer. If you have testicular cancer, you will meet with experts within the UW Genitourinary Cancer Program. Your care team will include urologists, medical oncologist and radiation oncologists.

Cancer care at locations convenient to you.

A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. There are many resources and support groups to help you through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.