Typically the first symptom of testicular cancer is a pea-sized growth on the testicle; it is usually painless although it can cause some pain in the area. Men are advised to check their testicles on a regular basis so that it is caught as early as possible, once a month is the minimum amount of checking that is advised although that is obviously up to personal preference. If swelling is found on the testicle it is vitally important to see a doctor to have it checked as if it is cancer it can spread and it can kill.

The doctor usually examines the testicles to check if it is cancer and if the doctor suspects that it is an ultrasound of the entire scrotum and testes will be carried out to see the lump and determine whether it maybe something else.  However the only way to find out for certain whether the swelling is cancerous or not is for the doctor to examine it during an operation. The surgeon can see whether it is cancerous or not and remove part of it for analysis.

If the swelling is found to be cancer then the testicle will be removed fortunately men have two testicles and the patient can usually go home the next day. However it is important to have a regular check up with your doctor in case the cancer returns as it may have spread to other parts of the body before the operation.