The symptoms of testicular Cancer can also have many other causes that have nothing to do with Cancer. If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to be checked out right away to rule out cancer and receive treatment for whatever condition you do have.
If you notice any of these symptoms or any abnormality or change in your testicles, visit medical professional immediately, preferably a physician who specializes in diseases of the genitals and urinary tract (urologist).
Fear, ignorance, and denial are common reasons that men delay seeking medical help. In fact, many men will wait many weeks, sometimes even more than a year, before consulting a doctor. It is important to check out any lump or enlargement right away, because cancer of the testicle may double in size every 10-30 days.
Any severe testicular pain or injury warrants a visit to a hospital emergency department. A change in the appearance or an examination of the testicle should prompt a visit to your health care provider.
If you do not have a regular health care provider, ask family members and friends for a referral. If that doesn't work, services are available to help you find a urologist.
Many local and state medical societies can provide a list, as can some hospitals. The Web site can help you find a urologist in your area. Go to the Web site and enter your town and state.
Follow-up is the care you receive after your cancer is diagnosed and treated.
Follow-up in testicular cancer varies and is based on the type of cancer, your Cancer's response to treatment, and your urologist's preference.
The idea is to monitor your recovery and look for early signs of Cancer recurrence. Follow-up involves regular visits to your urologist for physical examination and tests. Your urologist will probably want to see you every few months for the first 2 years, then every 6-12 months for 5 years or longer. You can expect periodic CT scans, chest x-rays, and blood tests for tumor markers.
Cancers do recur after treatment, and predicting which men will have a recurrence is impossible. Recurrences, if detected and treated early, have a high rate of cure. Your best way to ensure that a recurrence is caught early is to carefully follow your urologist's follow-up recommendations.
here is no known way to prevent testicular cancer.
All men (specifically those aged 18-44 years) should perform monthly testicular self-examinations. The point of these examinations is not to find a Cancer but to get familiar with how your testicles feel so that you will notice if something changes.