Early symptoms and signs of testicular cancer

Early symptoms and precursors of testicular cancer often include testicular lumps, pain or discomfort. Some patients may also experience a heavy scrotum, enlarged breasts or lower back pain. Early detection can improve the treatment effect. It is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible when relevant symptoms occur.

1) Testicular lumps or masses

The typical early symptom of testicular cancer is the appearance of a painless hard mass or lump in the testicle. Most patients will find abnormalities when touching it daily. The lump may vary in size, from a grain of rice to an egg. This is caused by the abnormal proliferation of cancer cells. It is recommended that men regularly self-examine their testicles every month. If abnormalities are found, they should go to the urology department or men's department for examination in time, including ultrasound examination and blood tumor marker detection.

2) Testicular discomfort or pain

Some patients may experience mild testicular pain or heaviness, especially when accompanied by scrotal swelling or fever, so be vigilant. This symptom may be related to local tissue inflammatory response, or it may be a sign of tumor compression of surrounding tissues. If the pain gradually worsens or lasts for a long time, please see a doctor immediately.

3) Breast enlargement or other hormone-related manifestations

Some testicular cancer patients may secrete abnormal hormones, such as increased estrogen levels, which can lead to enlarged, tender, or other feminine manifestations in men. This usually means that the cancer cells may produce hormone or metabolic abnormalities, which is an important warning sign that needs attention. This symptom is difficult to detect in adolescents or young men and often occurs in patients diagnosed late, so early self-monitoring is very important.

4) Other related symptoms: abdominal and back pain or metastatic signals

Although it is not an early symptom, some patients also report abdominal or lower back pain. This may be because the tumor has invaded deeper tissues or metastasized, compressing nerves or abdominal organs. If similar symptoms occur, combined with other abnormal signs, you should quickly contact a specialist for detailed imaging examinations such as CT and MRI to confirm the condition and develop a treatment plan.

If you find the above symptoms, please do not ignore them and go to the hospital for professional examination as soon as possible. The prognosis of testicular cancer in the early stage is good, and there are many options for surgical treatment (such as orchiectomy), chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc., with a high cure rate. Men should regularly perform self-examinations on their bodies, pay attention to the health of their testicles, prevent and detect potential problems as early as possible, and ensure a healthy quality of life.