It’s a question that may affect whether someone decides to get a change checked. MSK genitourinary medical oncologist Dr. Samuel Funt discusses symptoms to be aware of.
DR. SAMUEL FUNT
Can testicular cancer be painful, or is it always a painless lump?
Hi, I’m Dr. Sam Funt, a genitourinary medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center.
The classic sign of testicular cancer is a hard, painless lump in the testicle, but some men also
experience pain, swelling, discomfort, or a feeling of heaviness. Having pain doesn’t rule out
cancer.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15 to 40, and the average age of
diagnosis is 33. But it’s rare overall. Only about 1 in every 250 men will get testicular cancer.
The most well-known risk factors are a family history, or being born with an undescended
testicle, but the majority of men who are diagnosed actually don't have any of these risk factors.
Testicular cancer is very curable and the treatment is less intensive when it’s diagnosed early.
Whether a change is painful or painless, don’t wait to get it checked out. See your healthcare
provider right away