The hernia can be repaired surgically if it is severe enough or causes too much discomfort, and epididymitis can be successfully treated with antibiotics. Other complications related to the testicles arise now and then and should be reported to a doctor. So should any variation in the glands, which should be smooth-surfaced and slightly spongy, and any persistent sense that things are not right down there. Some victims of testicular cancer do experience outright pain, particularly if a tumor has formed and there's bleeding. Less-common indications of the disease are back pain, weight loss, and enlarged lymph nodes and breasts.
Most testicular cancers develop in the sperm-producing cells and are classified as seminomas.
One common and alarming trait is the seminoma's rapid development. The worst tumors can double in size in as little as three weeks, and for this reason early detection is important. The progress in treating testicular cancer has been dramatic. But the incidence of this potential killer is trending upward, for reasons that have yet to be scientifically determined. If a malignant testicle is suspected, a testicular ultrasound is conducted.