Diagnosis

In other cases, your doctor may detect such a hardening during a routine examination.

To determine whether the lump is cancerous, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following diagnostic tests:

• Ultrasound
  Ultrasound imaging for suspected testicular cancer uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images. During the exam, you lie on your back with your legs apart. Your doctor applies a special gel and moves a handheld device (transducer) over your scrotum to obtain the images. Ultrasound can help determine the nature of the lump in your testicle — for example, whether it is solid or fluid-filled. It also helps identify whether the abnormality is located inside or outside the testicle.
• Blood Test
  Your doctor may recommend a blood test to measure levels of specific substances called tumor markers. Tumor markers are naturally occurring substances in the blood that can be elevated in certain conditions, such as testicular cancer. An increased level of tumor markers does not automatically mean you have cancer, but it can provide helpful information for your doctor when making a diagnosis.
• Surgery to Remove the Testicle (Radical Inguinal Orchiectomy)
  If there is a strong suspicion that the lump in your testicle may be cancerous, surgical removal of the testicle may be recommended. The removed tissue is then analyzed in a laboratory to determine whether the tumor is malignant and, if so, what type of cancer is present.

Determining the type of cancer

The type of testicular cancer is determined by analyzing the removed testicle. This analysis helps define the appropriate treatment and provides insight into your prognosis.

There are generally two main types of testicular cancer:

• Seminoma
  Seminoma is a type of testicular tumor that can occur in men of all ages. However, it is more commonly diagnosed in older men. Seminomas typically grow more slowly and are less aggressive than non-seminomas.
• Non-seminomatous testicular cancer
  Non-seminomas tend to occur more frequently in younger men. They usually grow and spread more rapidly than seminomas. There are several subtypes of non-seminomatous tumors, including: Choriocarcinoma, Embryonal carcinoma, Teratoma, Yolk sac tumor

Staging of the cancer

Once your doctor has confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is to determine the stage of the testicular cancer. Several methods can be used to assess whether the cancer has spread beyond the testicle:

• Computed Tomography (CT)
  This specialized imaging technique uses X-rays to produce detailed images of the abdomen, chest, and pelvic area. These images can help your doctor determine whether the cancer has metastasized.
• Blood Test
  Blood tests for elevated tumor markers can also provide important information about whether the cancer may have been completely removed with the surgical removal of the testicle.

After these tests are completed, the cancer can be assigned a stage. The stage helps determine which treatment options are most appropriate for you.

Stages of Testicular Cancer:

• Stage I
  The cancer is confined to the testicle.

• Stage II
  The cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the abdominal area.

• Stage III
  The cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Testicular cancer most commonly metastasizes to the lungs and liver.