Answers to the questions we hear most often, from "what is testicular cancer" to "can I really donate a testicle?" (spoiler: no).
Testicular cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the tissues of one or both testicles. It's the most common cancer in men aged 15-35, and it's also highly treatable, survival rates exceed 95% when caught early.
Learn more about testicular cancer →
A monthly self-exam takes about two minutes. The best time is after a warm shower, when the skin is relaxed. Roll each testicle gently between your thumb and fingers, feeling for any lumps, hardness, or changes in size or shape.
Don't panic, but don't wait. Most lumps aren't cancer, but any lump, swelling, or change should be checked by a doctor, ideally a urologist, within a few days. Early detection makes testicular cancer one of the most curable cancers.
What to do if you detect a lump →
Pea-sized lump: causes & next steps →
Risk is highest for men between 15 and 35, but testicular cancer can occur at any age. Other risk factors include family history, an undescended testicle at birth (cryptorchidism), and certain genetic conditions.
Testicular cancer is generally classified into three stages based on how far it has spread. Stage I is confined to the testicle, Stage II involves nearby lymph nodes, and Stage III indicates spread to distant organs. Treatment and prognosis depend on the stage and type.
Full stages breakdown →
Complete guide to each stage →
Short answer: no, you can't donate a testicle. It's one of the most common misconceptions people come to us with. We wrote a whole page explaining why, and what you can do to support testicular cancer research and survivors instead.
Can you really donate a testicle? →
Treatment depends on type and stage, and typically includes surgery (orchiectomy, sometimes RPLND), chemotherapy (BEP, EP, or VIP regimens), surveillance, or in advanced cases, high-dose chemo with stem cell transplant.
Treatment overview →
BEP chemo guide →
Top treatment centers →
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