Getting diagnosed withTesticular cancer
You usually have a number of tests to check for testicular cancer. The testicles are part of the male . They produce sperm and the hormone testosterone.
The tests you might have to check for testicular cancer include:
an examination of the testicles
blood tests
an ultrasound scan
Most people with symptoms that could be due to cancer start by contacting their GP surgery. Your first appointment may be a telephone appointment. Your GP surgery then might arrange for you to go in and see a doctor or other healthcare professional.
The tests your GP might do include one or more of the following:
an examination of your abdomen (tummy), anus and rectum
a test that looks for tiny traces of blood in a sample of your poo - a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
blood tests
Your GP may also ask you for another sample of poo to check for inflammation in the bowel. This is to test for a protein called faecal calprotectin. Your GP or practice nurse will give you a sample pot to take away with you. You bring it back once you have collected the poo sample.
A physical examination involves your doctor looking and feeling your:
tummy (abdomen)
testicles
penis
They feel for any areas that are swollen or might not feel normal. And if you have pain, they will feel those areas.
They might also listen to your chest and abdomen to find out if they sound normal.
Some people find a physical examination uncomfortable and embarrassing. Your GP or specialist will try to make you as comfortable as possible.
You can ask for someone else to be in the room with you if you want, to act as a chaperone. A chaperone is a trained health professional such as a nurse. A friend or relative can also stay with you for support and comfort. They can be with you during the test or examination.
Blood tests can check your general health including:
how well your liver and kidneys are working
the number of blood cells in your blood such as , and . You may hear this being called a full blood count
if you have any signs of infection
Depending on the results of your tests, your GP may refer you to a specialist at the hospital. This is usually a urologist.
Your specialist usually does more tests. These include:
ultrasound scan
MRI scan
CT scan
Ultrasound scans use high frequency sound waves to create a picture of a part of the body. The ultrasound scanner has a probe that gives off sound waves. The sound waves bounce off the organs inside your body, and the probe picks them up. The probe links to a computer that turns the sound waves into a picture on the screen.
To check for testicular cancer, you usually have an ultrasound scan of the testicles and . This can show if there is a:
fluid filled cyst
lump
If your doctor can't feel a lump on your testicle, they may still suggest you have an ultrasound scan. You might have it if you have other symptoms such as:
swollen in the back of your abdomen. These are called retroperitoneal lymph nodes
high levels of certain proteins called
A CT scan uses x-rays and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body. The computer puts them together to make a 3 dimensional (3D) image.
You might have a CT scan of your abdomen, chest and pelvis to find out if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Find out more about having a CT scan
MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It uses magnetism and radio waves to take pictures of the inside of the body.
You might have an MRI scan of your abdomen, chest and pelvis. It can help your doctor to find out:
more information if the ultrasound and CT scan does not show whether you have cancer
whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body
Read more about having an MRI scan
Tumour markers are substances that are produced by:
the cancer, or
by other cells in response to the cancer
Tumour markers are usually proteins that can be found in the blood, urine or body tissues.
Some tumour markers are only produced by one type of cancer. Others can be made by several types.
Some people with testicular cancer have high levels of 3 different markers:
alpha feta protein (AFP)
human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
Not all testicular cancers make these chemicals. You could have testicular cancer without raised marker levels. Other conditions can raise tumour marker levels too. So this test can't diagnose testicular cancer on its own. You need to have other tests alongside it.
Raised levels are also more common in some types of testicular cancer than others.
You have blood tests for these markers throughout your treatment and afterwards. These tests help to show how well treatment works and can show if the cancer has come back.
The tests you have help your doctor find out if you have testicular cancer and how far it has grown. This is the stage of the cancer.
Read about the stages of testicular cancer
This is important because doctors recommend your treatment according to the stage of the cancer.
Find out about the treatment options for testicular cancer
Coping with a diagnosis of testicular cancer can be difficult. There is help and support available for you and your family.
Read about what you can do to cope with a diagnosis of testicular cancer
Last reviewed: 17 Feb 2025
Next review due: 17 Feb 2028
Testicular cancer is cancer that develops in the testicles. The testicles are part of the male reproductive system.
Symptoms of testicular cancer include a lump or swelling in part of one testicle or a heavy scrotum. Find out about other possible symptoms and when you should see your GP.
You usually have surgery. You might have chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This depends on the stage and type of your testicular cancer.
Getting practical and emotional support can help you cope with a diagnosis of cancer.
Your type of testicular cancer depends on which type of cell it started in. Knowing your type helps the doctor decide which treatment you need.
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