The
testicles are located inside the scrotum, the loose bag of skin that hangs below
the penis. From the start of puberty, each testicle produces sperm. The
testicles also produce the hormone testosterone.
A
testicular tumour is a lump created by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of
cells. Testicular tumours can grow and sometimes spread to other parts of your
body (through the bloodstream or the lymph system). Testicular cancer can also
spread to the lymph nodes (part of the lymph system) or form tumours in the
lungs or other organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
There
are two main types of testicular cancer: seminoma and non-seminoma. Seminomas
are made up of a single kind of testicular cell, while non-seminomas (eg
teratomas) are made up of more than one type of cell.
Very
rarely, another type of cancer, called a lymphoma, can occur in the testicles.
This is cancer of the lymphatic tissue (tissue that forms part of the immune
system). Lymphoma is the most common type of testicular cancer in men over 50.
The main
symptom of testicular cancer is a lump, irregularity or swelling in one
testicle. Other symptoms that may be present include: