Checking for Testicular Cancer

Checking for testicular cancer can be done using a testicular self-exam. It is recommended that men between the ages of 15 and 35 do a testicular self-exam each month to check for testicular cancer. If you find anything while checking for testicular cancer, you should schedule an appointment to see your doctor right away.

 

Checking for Testicular Cancer: An Introduction

In most cases, testicular cancer is first detected by the patient, either unintentionally or by self-examination. In other cases, testicular cancers are discovered during a routine physical examination. Between regular checkups, checking for testicular cancer is important, and men should talk with their doctor if they notice anything unusual about the testicles or if they experience symptoms of testicular cancer.
 
(Click Testicular Cancer Symptoms for more information.)
 

Checking for Testicular Cancer: Your Doctor

When the doctor is checking a patient for testicular cancer, he or she will perform a physical exam to check:
 
  • General signs of health
  • Signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual
  • The testicles for lumps, swelling, or pain.
     
Following the physical exam, if your doctor suspects testicular cancer, he or she may order certain exams and tests, including:
 
  • Blood tumor marker tests
  • An ultrasound
  • An inguinal orchiectomy with biopsy.
     
(Click Diagnosis of Testicular Cancer for more information about these tests.)
 
(Checking for Testicular Cancer Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD