Testicular cancer, otherwise known as germ cell tumours, affects men at a relatively young age and although the frequency is increasing the cure rates are excellent. The two most common types are called seminoma and teratoma although it is possible to get rarer types called lymphoma and sarcoma.

Testicular cancer normally presents with a swelling in the testis which may be uncomfortable or painless.

Mostly we do not know why testicular cancers start but there is an association with undescended testicles in childhood. Testicular cancers can start in testis or not infrequently have spread. Fortunately, even if they have spread there is still a good chance they can be cured - Lance Armstrong is proof of that.

The treatment is removal of the testis (orchidectomy) often followed by chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy. 

Learn more about the management of testicular cancer: