![]() ![]() Losing a testicle will not affect your sex life or ability to have children. Your specialist will only recommend removing your testicle if they're relatively certain the lump is cancerous. This is because the combination of the ultrasound and blood marker tests is usually sufficient to make a firm diagnosis.Īlso, a biopsy may injure the testicle and spread cancer into the scrotum, which is not usually affected. Unlike many cancers where a small piece of the cancer can be removed (a biopsy), in most cases the only way to examine a testicular lump is by removing the affected testicle completely. These tests and reports are called histology. The only way to definitively confirm testicular cancer is to examine part of the lump under a microscope. There may still be a chance you have testicular cancer even if your blood test results come back normal. Not all people with testicular cancer produce markers. It's called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), but it's not a specific marker for testicular cancer. Markers in your blood that'll be tested for include:Ī third blood test is also often carried out as it may indicate how active a cancer is. Testicular cancer often produces these markers, so it may indicate you have the condition if they're in your blood. To help confirm a diagnosis, you may need a series of blood tests to detect certain hormones in your blood, known as markers. A more solid lump may be a sign the swelling is cancerous. It'll also give a clear indication of whether the lump is in the testicle or separate within the scrotum, and whether it's solid or filled with fluid.Ī fluid-filled lump or collection around the testis is usually harmless. It's 1 of the main ways of finding out whether or not a lump is cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).ĭuring a scrotal ultrasound, your specialist will be able to determine the position and size of the abnormality in your testicle. Scrotal ultrasoundĪ scrotal ultrasound scan is a painless procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image of the inside of your testicle. Some of the tests you may have are described below. If you have a non-painful swelling or lump, or a change in the shape or texture of 1 of your testicles, and a GP thinks it may be cancerous, you'll be referred for further testing within 2 weeks. Testicular lumps tend to be solid, which means light is unable to pass through them.Ī collection of fluid in the scrotum will allow light to pass through it. They may hold a small light or torch against your scrotum to see whether light passes through it. Physical examinationĪs well as asking you about your symptoms and looking at your medical history, a GP will usually need to examine your testicles. Treatment for testicular cancer is much more effective when started early. Most lumps within the scrotum are not cancerous, but it's important to get checked as soon as possible. See a GP as soon as possible if you notice a swelling, lump or any other change in 1 of your testicles.
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