Most testicular cancers are first detected by the patient, either unintentionally or by self-examination. Some are discovered by routine physical examination. However, no studies have been done to determine the effectiveness of testicular self-examination or clinical testicular examination in reducing mortality from testicular cancer. The benefit of testicular self-examination is unknown.

Screening would be very unlikely to decrease mortality substantially because therapy is so effective, even for advanced stages of disease. However, early detection may have a practical impact on therapy. There is an increase in both the number of courses of chemotherapy and the extent of surgery required for treatment of advanced disease that results in higher morbidity. Patients diagnosed with localized disease require less treatment and have lower morbidity.[1]

References

1. Sagalowsky AI: Expectant management of stage A nonseminomatous testicular tumors. In: Ratiff TL, Catalona WJ, eds.: Genitourinary Cancer. Boston: Martinus Nijhoff, 1987, pp 225-237.