Testicular lumps and testicular cancer care
Any new lump in the scrotum deserves a prompt urology visit, whether or not it is sore. Surgery is the usual first treatment for testicular cancer, and timing counts.
Signs to get checked
- A firm spot or swelling on one testicle
- The scrotum feeling heavy
- One testicle changing in size or feel
- A dull pull in the groin or low abdomen
- Swelling from fluid in the scrotum
- Tender or enlarging breast tissue
What the visit includes
Ultrasound and blood tests can be done in the office, so a scrotal mass can be evaluated quickly. If cancer is suspected, timely surgery to remove the affected testicle (radical orchiectomy) is usually the first treatment.
Planning beyond surgery
Before surgery, our urologists can talk with you about sperm banking and the option of a testicular prosthesis. Some men need follow-up imaging, medicines or lymph node surgery afterward, and the team helps coordinate those steps.
More on this topic from Advanced Urology: testicular cancer
Educational information, not medical advice. Every treatment has risks, benefits and alternatives to discuss with your clinician.
When should you see a urologist about testicular cancer?
Book promptly for any new lump, swelling or heaviness in the scrotum, even if it doesn't hurt. Sudden, severe testicle pain is an emergency, so go to the ER.
What is recovery usually like?
Removing a testicle through a groin incision is done at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center. Follow-up includes scans and blood work on a set schedule.
More questions we hear
Is sudden testicle pain a sign of cancer?
Sudden severe pain points more toward torsion, a twisted testicle, which is an emergency. Go to the ER right away.
How do I check myself?
Regularly, often in the shower, feel each testicle for a lump, hardness or any change in size or feel. A new lump should be examined within days, and sudden severe pain means the ER.
Can I talk about fertility before surgery?
Yes. Our urologists discuss sperm banking and a testicular prosthesis before surgery so you have time to plan.
Which articles go deeper on testicular cancer?
These short reads answer questions patients often bring to us.
Signs to know
- A lump or swelling in either testicle
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- Aching low in the abdomen or groin
- A change in how one testicle feels
Most lumps are found by men themselves, often during a shower. A monthly self-check makes changes easier to spot.
How is a testicle lump evaluated?
After an exam, an ultrasound of the scrotum tells us whether the lump sits inside the testicle. Blood tumor markers help with diagnosis and follow-up. If cancer is likely, removal of the testicle through a groin incision both confirms the diagnosis and treats it, done at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center.
After surgery
Follow-up includes scans and blood work on a set schedule. We'll talk about fertility and hormone questions before surgery, so you have time to plan.
Common questions
Is testicular cancer treatable?
Yes. It is very treatable, especially when found early; most men are treated by removing the testicle, sometimes followed by chemotherapy or radiation.
Who is most often affected?
Mostly men in their 20s and 30s. A lump, heaviness or change in size deserves a prompt exam at any adult age.
How fast can I be seen for a lump?
Call 678-344-8900 and mention the lump so it is booked promptly. The visit includes an exam and a scrotal ultrasound.
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