Testicular Cancer Warning: Be Vigilant About These Unnoticeable Signs, Doctor Warns

The alarming findings from The Real Face of Men's Health report reveal a troubling reality: 39% of men die younger than they should, translating to 133,000 preventable deaths each year. This staggering figure highlights a persistent issue—men's reluctance to prioritize their health.

Many of these lives could have been saved with better access to screenings for conditions like prostate and testicular cancer. However, societal taboos and a “tough-it-out” mentality often prevent men from seeking timely care. This delay can turn treatable diseases into fatal outcomes.

Lifestyle factors also play a significant role. Excessive consumption of alcohol, reliance on junk food, smoking, and lack of exercise all contribute to poor health outcomes. Men often overlook small, manageable changes that could dramatically improve their quality of life and longevity.

The message is clear: Men must shed the stigma of seeking help, embrace regular check-ups, and take proactive steps to care for their bodies. By prioritizing screenings, improving their lifestyles, and breaking unhealthy habits, men can reclaim their health—and their futures.

Dr Rajesh Kumar Reddy Adapala, Uro-oncologist at Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Hyderabad says, "First step in preventing any health issue is to understand the root cause or risk factors. There are no effective preventive measures to reduce the risk significantly for testicular tumors, because most of the risk factors for testicular cancer are unmodifiable."

However one can be vigilant about the possible risks and get it diagnosed in early stages so that cure is and watch out if you have any of the followings risks:

Development of testis occurs inside the abdomen of fetus, later descend into the scrotum by birth. If the descent is hampered, then it is called Undescended testis, which increases the risk of germ cells turns into cancer due to incompatible location. Many perform complete removal of undescended testis if this condition is diagnosed after puberty to prevent cancer formation.

Its highly recommended to diagnose undescended testis and correcting it early in childhood by bringing it down to the scrotum surgically will enable the patient and doctor to examine the testis regularly and to detect tumors in early stages.

Family history of testis cancer in father or sibling, sometimes having cancer in one testicle increases the likelihood of developing a cancer in the other testicle. In case of such history, one should regularly visit urologist and proactively do testicular self examination frequently to look for lumps in testis.

Testicular enlargement or lump in the testis raises the red flag. Sometimes its associated with dull ache or dragging pain. Rarely lax hydrocele (fluid accumulation in the scrotum around the testis) can co-exist. Lump in the abdomen or neck swelling: it’s the sign of lymphatic spread inside the tummy and in late stages it can spread to neck nodes especially at left side above the collar bone.

See your urologist in case of above risks or signs, get ultrasound scan of scrotum to rule out testicular tumors. He also recommends testicular tumor markers such as Alpha feto protien, Beta HCG and Lactate dehydrogenase.

Initial step of testicular cancer treatment is to remove the testis surgically. Generally fertility potential or hormone level should not get affected if another testis is healthy. If patient doesn't have healthy opposite testis, Urologists attempt testicular sparing surgery for the tumor affected testis if feasible.

Few patients need chemotherapy or radiation if detected in advanced stage. This can reduce the fertility potential (Not hormonal level) as sperm production is affected. Very rarely this can be irreversible. For such cases semen preservation is performed before commencing the treatment.

As already discussed testis is abdominal organ in fetus and descents down by the time of birth. Hence usually testicular tumors spread to abdominal lymph nodes. In most of these cases, nodes are cured by chemotherapy. If these nodes don't respond to the drugs patient may require a surgery called retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). During this surgery tiny nerves in abdomen responsible for ejaculation may get damaged. These patient may develop a condition called retrograde ejaculation, i.e semen goes back into the bladder and comesout with urination. However hormone level or fertility potential are not affected usually. Various methods are available to treat this condition.