Tests for testicular cancer:
To check for testicular cancer, doctors might use a few different tests:
Physical Exam: A doctor will feel your testicles to check for any lumps or changes.
Blood Tests: Tests to check for certain substances in your blood that might indicate cancer.
Ultrasound: A scan that uses sound waves to create an image of your testicles to look for any unusual areas.
The testicles are part of the male reproductive system. They make sperm and the hormone testosterone.
Tests your doctor might do:
Your doctor can perform some tests to determine if you need to see a specialist. These tests usually include:
Physical Exam: Checking your body for any signs of problems.
Blood Tests: Checking your blood for certain markers.
After the exam, your doctor might refer you directly to a specialist or arrange for you to have an ultrasound scan of your testicles, usually done at a nearby hospital.
Physical examination:
During a physical exam, your doctor will check:
– Your tummy (abdomen)
– Your pelvis
– Your testicles
– Your penis
They will feel for any swelling or unusual areas and check if you have pain. They might also listen to your chest and tummy to ensure everything sounds normal.
It’s normal to feel a bit uncomfortable or embarrassed during this exam. Your GP will do their best to make you feel at ease. You can also ask to have someone else in the room with you, like a family member or a trained nurse, to be there as a chaperone if that makes you feel more comfortable.
Blood testes:
Blood tests can help check your overall health by looking at:
– How well your liver and kidneys are functioning
– The number of different blood cells in your blood, including white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells (this is often called a full blood count)
– Any signs of infection
Tests your specialist might do:
Based on your test results, your GP might send you to a specialist at the hospital, usually a urologist.
The specialist will likely perform additional tests, such as:
– An ultrasound scan
– An MRI scan
– A CT scan
Ultrasound scan of the testicles:
An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to create images of parts of your body. The scanner sends out sound waves, which bounce off your organs and are picked up by a microphone. This microphone sends the information to a computer that makes a picture from the sound waves.
For testicular cancer, an ultrasound scan checks your testicles and scrotum. It can help find:
– A fluid-filled cyst
– A lump
Even if your doctor can’t feel a lump, they might still recommend an ultrasound if you have other symptoms, like swollen lymph nodes in your abdomen (called retroperitoneal lymph nodes) or high levels of certain proteins (tumor markers).
Doctors can often diagnose testicular cancer by looking at the ultrasound images.
CT Scan:
A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of your body. The computer combines these images to make a 3D picture.
You might have a CT scan of your abdomen, chest, and pelvis to check if the cancer has spread to other areas of your body.
MRI Scan:
An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, uses magnets and radio waves to create images of the inside of your body.
You might get an MRI scan of your abdomen, chest, and pelvis to:
– Provide more details if the ultrasound and CT scan don’t give a clear answer about cancer
– Check if the cancer has spread to other areas of your body
Tumor Markers:
Tumor markers are substances made by the cancer itself or by other cells in response to cancer. They are usually proteins found in the blood, urine, or body tissues.
Some tumor markers are specific to one type of cancer, while others can be found in several types.
For testicular cancer, some people have high levels of three different markers:
– Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
– Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
– Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
However, not all testicular cancers produce these markers. You can have testicular cancer even if these markers aren’t elevated. Other conditions can also cause higher marker levels, so this test alone cannot diagnose testicular cancer. Other tests are needed too.
Higher marker levels are more common in certain types of testicular cancer than others.
Blood tests for these markers are done throughout your treatment and after. They help track how well the treatment is working and can indicate if the cancer has returned.