Beyond The Bump: Other Symptoms Of Testicular Cancer
Posted on: 30 July 2018
Share
Most men are aware that if they find a lump in their testicles, they should see a doctor because of the risk of testicular cancer. But not everyone with testicular cancer first notices a bump. Sometimes, there are other testicular cancer symptoms that show up first. Here is a look at a few of them.
Swelling
One sign of testicular cancer is swelling in the testicle. One testicle may simply feel a little larger or more inflamed than the other. It's totally normal for one testicle to be larger than the other or to hang a little lower, but if your anatomy in this regard suddenly changes, that is when you should be concerned.
Heaviness
Some men with testicular cancer first report an odd sensation of heaviness in their testicles. You may feel as though something is bearing down on your scrotum or like someone has added weight to this area. You may feel the need to suddenly wear more supportive underwear for this reason. The heaviness may or may not also cause some aching.
Lower Back Pain
It's common for testicular cancer to spread to the lymph nodes. Sometimes, this occurs early in the process. The first lymph nodes to be affected are those in your lower back. This may result in mysterious back aches. If left unaddressed, the pain may start to spread across your sides and into your stomach as the lymph nodes in these areas become affected.
Breast Tenderness
Cancer of the testicles can affect the amount of testosterone that your body makes, which can have profound effects on your secondary sex characteristics. One of the most common of such effects of tenderness of the breasts. Some men also notice that their breasts begin to enlarge. In the most serious of cases, you may notice some lactation from your nipples.
Changes in Desire
Sometimes the most obvious symptom of testicular cancer is a change in your sexual desires. You may no longer want to initiate sex with a partner or find that you are having sex less often. This can be due to pain in the testicles, and it can also be due to changes in hormone levels that occur during testicular cancer.
Do not assume that if you don't notice a lump in your testicle, you do not have cancer. Sometimes, the signs are less obvious. Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of the problems above. You may need testicular cancer treatment.