Testicular Cancer Symptoms Examination

Testicular cancer symptoms examination includes a physical exam, ultrasound of the testicles, CT scan, blood work, and a medical history. A testicular self-exam is a monthly visual and manual exam to look and feel for any irregularities in the scrotal sac. When performed monthly it can become a useful way to find anomalies much more often than a yearly medical exam can. This more frequent testicular self-exam is convenient, frequent, costs nothing, and instructional to your doctor if you do report any growths or sensations of the testicles.

Testicular cancer symptoms that are experienced in a self-exam should be called in to your doctor immediately. A testicular cancer check should be made in front of a mirror and after a warm shower so the scrotal muscles are relaxed. Placing a leg on a chair (toilet seat) gently and firmly grasp the testicle and feel (palpate) for lumps, growths, and swelling by slowly moving your thumb and fingers around the entire surface of your testicle. You will also feel the epididymis as a strand or braid that runs along the back of the testicle to the top of the scrotal sac. Then place the other leg on a chair and perform the exam on the other testicle. The more months that you perform this exam the more familiar you will become with your specific anatomy which gives you the ability to notice any differences if one does occur.

Testicular cancer symptoms examination at the urology specialist’s office can be a quick physical exam to palpate the scrotum and testicles to check for any growths or sensations that are painful. If nothing is out of the ordinary you would follow-up a year later. If there is a family history of testicular cancer, genetic biomarkers are high for testicular cancer, or you came to the office because you discovered testicular cancer symptoms, then Dr. Gheiler and Dr. Bianco will also draw some blood, take some ultrasound pictures and maybe order a CT scan to make sure there is no cancer of the testicles.

Should something be found during the testicular examination it will be correctly diagnosed even if it is something other than testicular cancer. Disorders that have similar symptoms include epididymitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the epididymis, which runs along the back and top of the testicles. If the entire testicle becomes inflamed it is called orchitis. Infection and inflammation can be caused by STDs which will also be evaluated. A hydrocele is a buildup of fluid in a sac in the scrotum which is usually harmless and painless but needs to be evaluated to rule out testicular cancer. Since it is composed of fluid the urologist can shine a light through it which distinguishes it from a solid mass of tissue. Other reasons for swelling are edema, spermatocele, and varicocele. Pain in the testicles can be caused by testicular torsion which is when the blood supply is twisted and stops flowing to the testicle which is an emergency and needs to be treated immediately. If treatment to get the blood supply flowing does not occur in 6 hours or less the testicle will be “die” and will no longer work. Physical trauma may also be examined for any internal damage that our urologists may need to repair.

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