What Young Males Need to Know About Testicular Cancer

, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, cancer centers, and other organizations nationwide recognize April as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. This cancer occurs when cells grow out of control in the testicles, part of the male reproductive system, and there are multiple forms of testicular cancer.

Testicular Cancer Facts and Figures
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS):

• In 2025, about 9,720 new testicular cancer cases will be diagnosed.
• About one of every 250 males will develop testicular cancer at some point in their lives.
• This cancer can affect young males, with the average age at the time of diagnosis being 33. About 6% of cases occur in children and teens, and about 8% occur in men over 55.
• Because testicular cancer can usually be treated successfully, a man's lifetime risk of dying from this cancer is about 1 in 5,000. 

Testicular Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors
While some testicular cancer cases have no signs or symptoms, signs of this disease can often be caught during a routine exam.

"With the absence of symptoms in the early stages of testicular cancer, I continue to stress the importance of males getting their annual wellness checks with their primary care providers and not hesitating to see their providers if something is not normal," expressed Nitin Vaishampayan, M.D., radiation oncologist and leader of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) at Karmanos.

Symptoms may include swelling of the testicle, a lump, a feeling of heaviness or pain in the scrotum, and aches in the lower abdomen. In rare cases, breast growth or soreness may occur. Certain testicular tumors may cause early puberty in boys.

Many men who develop testicular cancer do not have any risk factors. However, the following may cause a higher risk of the disease:

• An HIV infection.
• An undescended testicle.
• Being of a certain race or ethnicity – White men are four to five times more likely to develop testicular cancer. Americans and Europeans have the highest risk.
• Family history of testicular cancer or having had testicular cancer before.

Testicular Cancer Treatment at Karmanos Cancer Institute
At Karmanos, testicular cancer is treated by the Genitourinary Oncology MDT, which includes surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers, and genetic counselors. The team focuses entirely on treating genitourinary cancers and shares its collective expertise to create a customized treatment plan for each patient. The team uses the latest technologies, including the da Vinci® Xi™ Surgical System and cryotherapy, to achieve optimum patient success.

To learn more, visit karmanos.org.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Karmanos Cancer Institute is a leader in transformative cancer care, research and education through courage, commitment and compassion. The Karmanos vision is a world free of cancer. As part of McLaren Health Care, Karmanos is the largest provider of cancer care and research in Michigan. For more than 75 years, the administrative and research headquarters, along with the premier specialty cancer hospital, have been located in downtown Detroit. With 17 network sites, Karmanos delivers world-renowned care and access to clinical trials throughout Michigan and northern Ohio. The National Cancer Institute recognizes Karmanos as one of the best cancer centers in the nation with a comprehensive cancer center designation. Its academic partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine provides the framework for cancer research and education – defining new standards of care and improving survivorship. For more information, call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or visit karmanos.org. Follow Karmanos on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute