Testicular Cancer Stories
Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Explore below for in-depth testicular cancer stories from patients and survivors who share everything from first symptoms, treatment timeline, to navigating life with cancer.
Testicular cancer most often begins in germ cells (cells that make sperm). It is rare and is most frequently diagnosed in men 20-34 years old. Most testicular cancers can be cured, even if diagnosed at an advanced stage. (National Cancer Institute)
Testicular Cancer Patient Stories
Explore the stories and hear directly from the men who’ve been diagnosed with testicular cancer and have undergone various types of treatment, including orchiectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy.
We’ve categorized the stories according to the major subtypes, including seminoma and non-seminoma.
Seminoma Stories
Rick Henrikson, Seminoma, Stage 1
Age at Diagnosis: 34
1st Symptoms: Noticed one testicle larger than the other, dull pain
Treatment: Orchiectomy (surgical removal of one testicle), neoadjuvant chemo (1 infusion of Carboplatin)
Non-Seminoma Stories
Mikael Habekost, Non-Seminoma, Stage 1
Age at Diagnosis: 32
1st Symptoms: Fatigue, one swollen testicle
Treatment: Surgery (removal and reconstruction), radiation, hormone therapy
Steve Lynch, Non-Seminoma, Stage 4
Age at Diagnosis: 25
1st Symptoms: Grape-sized tumor on neck; hip and pelvis pain; ultrasound revealed tumor on right testicle
Treatment: Chemotherapy (BEP), removal of right testicle, lymph node resection (RPLND), and tumor dissection in the neck
Hugo Toovey, Non-Seminoma, Stage 2B
Age at Diagnosis: 21
1st Symptoms: Pea-sized lump on right testicle
Treatment: Surgical removal of right testicle, lymph node resection, chemotherapy
Matthew Ode, Non-Seminoma, Stage 3C
Age Diagnosed: 24
1st Symptoms: Fatigue, one swollen testicle
Treatment: BEP chemotherapy, surgeries (including complications)