visiting your GP (family doctor)
Your GP will examine you and arrange for any necessary tests, which may include a blood test and ultrasound of the testicles (an ultrasound uses sound waves to detect changes in your body).
Your doctor may then refer you to a hospital specialist for further tests and treatment.
at the hospital
Where you're referred to will depend on the results of the tests. You may go straight to a doctor or hospital specialising in testicular cancer, or you may see doctors with more general experience first. If you're diagnosed with testicular cancer and not already seeing a specialist, you will be referred to one. You'll probably see a lot of doctors.
The hospital doctor will also examine you and arrange for more detailed tests, which may include:
- An ultrasound test of the scrotum and testicles if you haven't already had one. An ultrasound can often tell the difference between a cancerous and benign (harmless) lump.
- Blood tests - they will check for levels of certain proteins in the blood - ones called AFP and HCG (short for alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadtrophin). The cancer triggers higher than usual levels of these proteins, which are called tumour markers. Ongoing blood tests are usually taken, as they show whether the tumour markers are rising or falling in response to treatment. You'll probably continue to have blood tests at check-ups after treatment, to check if the cancer has returned or spread
- Occasionally, the doctor may need to examine the testicle via an operation. This is when a small piece of tissue is removed during the operation and examined for signs of cancer under a microscope. Taking a sample like this is not done very often as the other tests are usually enough. If cancer is detected, then the testicle will be removed during the same operation to provide the best chance of curing the cancer. There is further information in the surgery section.
Further tests may also be done to check the size of the tumour and whether it has spread, such as:
You won't necessarily need all of these - and further tests will often depend on the results of your first ones.
Waiting for test results can be a scary time, but understanding a little about them - what will happen, how you'll feel and when you'll get the results - can help you cope.
If it is cancer, you might need a few more tests to check how your body is working in general. These could be blood tests, or tests looking at your heart (an echo-cardiogram or electrocardiogram - ECG), or a test to check your kidneys. This may seem like a lot of tests, but they are necessary to help the doctors provide the right treatment for you.
