Meets the third Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. UW Health Urology, 1 S. Park St., Madison. For more information, call (608) 287-2900.
Overview
About testicular cancer
Though rare, testicular cancer is among the most common cancers affecting young men - ages 20-40 being the most common age group.
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.
Symptoms and diagnosis
What you should know about testicular cancer
There are several types of testicular cancer. Some types of testicular cancer form in the cells that produce your sperm. Testicular cancer can also form in other tissues within your testicle.
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
Treatments and research
Aggressive treatment for testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is treatable, especially when detected early. The doctors at UW Health take an aggressive approach to treatment.
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
To help you feel comfortable during your stay at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, we invite you to learn about our facility and the services we offer.
Meet our team
Many experts caring for you
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.
Locations
Quality cancer care in your community
Cancer care at locations convenient to you.
Patient and support services
Support groups and online resources
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. There are many resources and support groups to help you through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
Cancer support groups
Meets the third Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Gilda’s Club, 7907 UW Health Ct., Middleton. For more information email program@gildassclubmadison.org.
Meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. Gilda’s Club, 7907 UW Health Ct, Middleton. For more information email program@gildassclubmadison.org.
Online resources
UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center
The experts at the UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center intimately understand every type of cancer. We will get to know you and design a treatment plan that works for you and your family.