Did you find a lump in your testicle? What about swelling and pain in your groin or gut? Or does it seem like your testicles are shrinking?
When things seem off, it’s time to get them checked out. And if you already did — and have learned you have testicular cancer — it’s important to remember to breathe. The good news? Testicular cancer is highly treatable — and its survival rates are among the highest of all cancers. But even so, we know it’s probably a lot to take in and process. You’re likely feeling anxious and worried about what’s next, and that’s perfectly normal.
At Cleveland Clinic, our healthcare providers understand that a cancer diagnosis comes with mixed emotions, stress and fear about your future. Our expert, personalized testicular cancer care keeps the whole you in mind, treating your physical and emotional needs. We’re your cancer partner and will guide you through diagnosis, treatment and recovery with compassion and understanding.
Our highly-skilled providers care for thousands of cancer patients each year. They have unique expertise in managing simple and complex conditions and recurrent urologic cancers with surgery, medications and minimally invasive treatments, like retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), which helps speed up recovery. Meet our team.
At Cleveland Clinic, we’re known for our research and clinical trials. Our cancer experts have pioneered many treatment methods for urologic cancers and have experience in nerve-sparing surgery that saves your ability to ejaculate in more than 95% of testicular cancer patients.
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. Our testicular cancer experts have helped define practice guidelines that are used to treat patients around the world. We're recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
We understand treatment can be hard, and you might not feel well enough for an in-person appointment. That’s why we offer virtual visits, where you can talk with your providers from the comfort of home using your smartphone, tablet or computer.
We start by getting to know you. At your first in-person appointment, your provider will ask about your symptoms, talk with you about your medical history and do a physical exam that focuses on your testicles and lymph nodes. Then, they’ll do some tests to help confirm a diagnosis and help them figure out how big your tumor is and if your cancer has spread to your organs or lymph nodes. This is called cancer staging.
Imaging tests allow us to get a closer look at any tumors. They also help us see if cancer has spread to other parts of your body, like your lungs, liver, spine and brain. You may have:
If imaging tests show anything that looks like cancer in your testicles, your provider will likely recommend removing the affected testicle (inguinal orchiectomy). This is done through a small cut (incision) in your groin just above where your leg joins your body.
A pathologist at our lab will look at the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells and make a diagnosis. If we find cancer, removing the affected testicle usually eliminates the cancer — if other tests don’t show signs it has spread.
Your provider may also take a blood sample to test for tumor markers. These are substances linked to different kinds, including testicular cancer. If these markers are high, there’s a good chance you have cancer. These markers also sometimes show if the cancer has spread and how it’s responding to treatment. The tumor markers for testicular cancer are:
Testicular cancer is certainly not a diagnosis you want to hear. It can be unexpected, scary and overwhelming. But having the best cancer care team on your side is the first important step toward an excellent outcome. Testicular cancer management is complicated, and sometimes overtreatment may occur if your provider is not as experienced with treating this condition. Our experts can make sure your recommended treatment plan is appropriate or provide additional options to consider. That’s why at Cleveland Clinic, we believe in getting a second opinion. Our trusted and experienced testicular cancer specialists are here to help make sense of your diagnosis and give you advice on treatment options.
And we’ll never do anything to harm your relationship with your provider if you reach out to us. We regularly offer second opinions for cancer diagnoses and work with other providers to make sure you get the best treatment.
We also know that cancer waits for no one. So as soon as you contact us, we’ll work hard to get you in to see one of our specialists as soon as possible. Feeling in control of your care is important, and a second opinion can give you peace of mind knowing you’re in the most capable compassionate hands as you navigate your cancer journey.
At Cleveland Clinic, you’ll have an experienced team of providers from different specialties helping you, including urologists and oncologists. They’ll work with you to create a highly personalized care plan that takes your unique needs into account. Your providers could include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida.
Once your care team has finished your exam and testing, they’ll let you know for sure if you have testicular cancer. And if you do, they’ll start working with you to design a personalized treatment plan. Depending on your cancer’s stage and other factors, you might have surgery or a combination of surgery and other treatments. Throughout your treatment journey, you’re providers will be there to answer all of your questions.
Surgery is the most common treatment for testicular cancer. If your provider didn’t remove the affected testicle during your tissue diagnosis, they’ll do an orchiectomy and remove the testicle through a cut in your groin.
They might also do a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) to remove the lymph nodes behind your abdomen to test them and see if any of the cancer has spread there. This surgical procedure is also used to treat cancer in some cases. Minimally invasive RPLND, which uses smaller incisions and shortens recovery time, may also be an option.
This treatment uses high doses of X-rays to kill your cancer cells. Radiation therapy is most often used after surgery to keep your tumor from returning (recurring).
Chemotherapy uses of drugs to destroy cancer cells and improve survival rates. Sometimes, providers will decide you might not need surgery and will do chemotherapy instead. This depends on the type of cancer you have. Or, they might have you do chemo after surgery or if your cancer has come back.
If you plan to have biological children in the future, we encourage sperm banking before surgery. This increases your chances of being able to conceive and having a family after you recover.
Surgery. Chemo. Radiation. You didn’t expect to find yourself facing all of this, but here you are. It’s a lot to digest, but you don’t have to go through any of it alone. At Cleveland Clinic, you’ll have the support of some of the world’s best cancer providers on your side to help you tackle this challenging (but highly treatable) diagnosis. We’re here to help you get back to feeling like yourself again.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic’s testicular cancer experts is easy. We’re here to help you get care.
Manage your Cleveland Clinic account. Find billing information and financial assistance, plus FAQs.
Securely access your personal health information at any time, day or night.
Learning you have cancer can be stressful, shocking and challenging. From the moment you get the news, you're a survivor. As you face the challenges that go along with cancer treatment and recovery — physical and emotional — we’ll be right there with you.
At Cleveland Clinic, survivorship care is one part of your journey. We offer a wide range of services, resources, clinics and support groups to help with any physical, emotional, financial and spiritual needs you might have related to your cancer diagnosis. Lending a helping hand along the way, we want you to not only survive, but thrive on this journey and beyond.
Health LibraryFind answers to your health questions from experts you can trust. It's like having a friend who's a doctor.
