Testicular cancer: diagnosis

[ --- Nota bene: Unless stated otherwise all information listed on this page was written and provided by a TC patient and not by a doctor. Although it was collected with great attention it cannot and shall in no way replace your visit to your local doctor! --- ]

The diagnosis will most likely be done by a bundle of checks:

Usually the doctors start by physically examing your body, especially your testicles and your scrotum.
I strongly advise you to frequently do it for your own at home, too. Here is a quick introduction into testicular self-examination and what to do.

There may be an ultrasound scan of the area to help to distinguish between cancer and lumps due to other causes.
An ultrasound scan is a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to form images of tissues and other structures. The scanning will neither hurt nor is it dangerous.

Blood tests may also be part of the diagnosis, although it is more likely to undergo these tests during the period after the diagnosis was made to see how the cancer develops.
There are certain testicular cancers that produce chemicals which are released into the bloodstream. The two main chemicals, called markers, are alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (BHCG).

The final diagnosis will probably be made by the temporary removal of the testicle out of the scrotum by an operation if there is reasonable suspicion.
It is not done by an incision into the scrotum, but by cutting and opening the skin in the groin and pulling the respective testicle on its vas deferens through the gap in the skin.

[next: self-examination]