Read article Further testicular cancer tests
This page is about more tests that you might have if you are diagnosed with testicular cancer. There is information on
Further testicular cancer tests
If the tests show you have testicular cancer, your doctor will want you to have more tests to see if it has spread to any other part of your body. This is called 'staging'.
You may be asked to have
- Blood tests
- Chest X-ray
- Ultrasound of your stomach (abdomen)
- CT scan
- MRI scan
After your tests
Once you have had the tests you need, the doctor can diagnose the type of cancer, and whether there is any spread of the disease.
It usually takes several days for the results of your tests to be ready. Waiting for your results can be an anxious time. You may find it helpful to talk things over with a close friend or relative. You may want to contact a cancer organisation that can tell you more about counselling and help you to find sources of emotional support in your area.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the diagnosing testicular cancer section.
If the tests show you have testicular cancer, your doctor will want you to have more tests to see if it has spread to any other part of your body. This is called staging.
Blood tests
You will probably have had blood tests for markers when you were first seen by your specialist, to help diagnose you. If you had one or more raised markers, your specialist will measure them again after your testicle has been removed. If there is no cancer anywhere else in your body, then your marker levels should return to normal after your surgery. If they do not, then there are testicular cancer cells in other parts of your body and you will need further treatment.
One of the commonest areas of spread for testicular cancer is the chest or lungs. You will need a chest X-ray to rule this out.
You may be asked to have a CT scan, an ultrasound scan of your abdomen, or more rarely an MRI scan. These are all ways of looking for signs of cancer spread. Ultrasound scans use sound waves and a CT scan is a type of computerised X-ray. MRI scanners use magnetism to build up a picture of the inside of the body. There is information about having a CT scan, ultrasound scan and MRI scan and in the about cancer tests section of CancerHelp UK.
Once you have had the tests you need, the doctor can diagnose
- The type of cancer
- Whether there is any spread of the disease
It usually takes several days for the results of your tests to be ready. Before you go home you are given a follow up appointment.
Waiting for your results can be an anxious time for you. You may find it helpful to talk things over with a close friend or relative.
Look on the testicular cancer organisations page for organisations that can help put you in touch with a support group. The coping with cancer section has information about talking about your cancer including information about counselling and who can help you to find sources of emotional support in your area.
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