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Testicular Cancer

NICE CKS Scrotal pain and swelling. Last revised: Aug 2024.

Article Last Updated: 23 December 2025

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Overview of Testicular Cancer Types

This table provides a concise overview and allows direct comparison of various testicular cancer types. Further details are presented in the sections below.

 
Cancer type
Epidemiology
Specific clinical Features
Tumour Markers
Histology Findings
Germ cell tumour
 
 
 
Seminoma
Most common subtype
Majority of post-pubertal tumour
Best prognosis due to slow growth and late metastasis.
Some may secrete β-hCG, leading to gynaecomastia.
  • Normal AFP
  • ↑ β-hCG and ↑ LDH in ~30% of cases
“Fried-egg” appearance and lymphocytic stroma.
Yolk sac tumour
Majority of pre-pubertal tumour
  • ↑↑ AFP (highly significant)
  • Normal β-hCG
  • LDH may be elevated
Gross yellow mucinous cut surface (resemble primitive glomeruli)
Choriocarcinoma
Rare but considered the most aggressive subtype
Almost always secretes β-hCG, often leading to gynaecomastia
  • ↑↑ β-hCG
  • Normal AFP
  •  LDH may be elevated
Contains syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts
Teratoma
Common in children (typically benign)
Rare in adults (can be malignant)
  • Normal AFP
  • Normal β-hCG
  • LDH may be elevated
Contains various tissue types such as teeth, cartilage, bone, and hair
Non-germ cell tumour
 
Leydig cell tumour
Non-germ cell tumours make up ~5% of all testicular tumours (rare)
Secretes testosterone, which can cause precocious puberty in boys
  • NOT associated with elevated tumour marker
Sertoli cell tumour
Secretes oestrogen, which can lead to gynaecomastia

References

NICE CKS Scrotal pain and swelling

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