My assistant principal recently went through this. A Major League Umpire missed half his 2008 season because he was diagnosed with it.

Anyone here ever have it or know anyone who has had it? Also, do lumps or other such growths have to be present on one's testicle in order to have it or necessitate tests? I've always heard that there has to be a lump or swelling present, and if not, one can't have it, but this seems rather stupid.

I worked at a major cancer treatment center and know that testicular cancer can effect younger guys. We had patients who were 19 & 20 years old. It's treatable if discovered early. Finding an irregularity upon self examination would send me to my Dr. for a more thorough exam and ultrasound if needed.

Here's a link that has more specifics: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/testicular-cancer/DS00046

But what if no irregularity is found upon self-examination? Must some lump or irregularity be present, or can testicular cancer still occur without anything found upon self-examination?

I wish I knew the answer to that CrewChief. After reading a few different sites about symptoms my guess is that in most cases there is a lump or irregularity, some change in the shape or density of the testicle. They do say though, that chronic pain w/out that irregularity or change is also a symptom. So we all need to do self examination and follow up on any changes in shape or density.

I also think that an ultrasound is going to be what determines if there is a tumor or not. Irregularities and mass changes can be things other than cancer too.

I went through a testicular cancer scare early last year when I discovered a lump. Thankfully, an ultrasound showed it to be a cyst and completely fine. At the time, I devoured just about everything I could read on the internet (sometimes a bad thing), but here's what I remember: testicular cancer typically manifests as a lump or some kind of irregularity (swelling, change in texture of the testical, groin pain, extreme tenderness, abdominal pain -- similar to having been kicked in the balls). It would be very rare for there to be something amiss without any indicators.

If you have some concern, see your doctor. Ask for an ultrasound.

The good thing is that testicular cancer is almost always found early and is entirely cured.