r/testicularcancer

Obviously the battle isn’t finished but i would like to thank everyone who has posted on here and shared their stories and experiences because it helped me a lot. I just had orchiectomy surgery done today and they removed my right buddy through the pubic area, i am now just waiting for pathology which i should get next week. I don’t feel much pain, i have been walking around a little too easily (kinda of scares me) so i am expecting recovery to be smooth. They didn’t sow me up but instead put medical glue. It all started off with feeling it in the shower, scheduling an appointment with doctor, ultrasound, Urologist, CT, and then surgery today. For anyone who has any questions about the surgery and the prep, feel free to ask. I would love to help a community who helped me.

Late to the posting club, Im aged 28 diagnosed in April 2026, currently started 4x BEP cycle 4 (was lurking here the first 3 and gto the courage to post cycle 4). What a journey it has been, started out as abdominal and back pain only and noticed nothing in my testicles. After an ER visit that got the ball rolling with all the needed referrals and scans, ended up with Stage 3B/C Pure Embryonal Carcinoma, with only metastasis to lymph nodes in abdomen area, chest cavity and neck, none to lungs, brain and other vitals. 2 Largest tumors are in abdomen area (retroperitoneal) which measured 4.5cmx9cm, other neck and chest lymph nodes measured around 2cm each. Ultrasound yielded burned out tumor in the left testes with each testes being roughly the same normal size (the report was vague in that regard). But the timing between referrals, scans and diagnosis happened so quickly, which i was fortunate for, we went straight to chemo and the orchiectomy is potentially later and probably an inevitable RPLND (?). Just wondering, anyone experienced something similar? Pure EC seems rare and would like to see how many in our community has gone through it.

To close off this post, I stand in solidarity with all that are affected by TC, whether survivor, caregiver or current fighter. My thoughts are with those that have passed on. I couldn't have made it here without reading all the inspiring stories in this community.

Three weeks ago, I found another lump on my right testicle. I had my left guy cut out back in 2020, it was stage 1 mixed germ cell. When to get all my imagining and blood work done which all lead to another tumor with possible metastasis in one node. Guys, I’m really feeling down about all of this. Like what are the chances? I’m having surgery this Thursday and I could use some guidance from the guys with no testes. Thanks.

I knew something was wrong with my boyfriend when I saw it for the first time. One of his testicles was so large, it enveloped the other one and made it look like one mega ball. It’s the size of a baseball. He has had this grow over the course of four years with little to no pain. I encouraged him to seek medical attention and after multiple requests via me, he had an appointment today. The doctor immediately recommended him for an ultrasound appointment & we’re waiting on the date for that now. What’s the likelihood that this is TC?? Based on your personal experiences. I just have a terrible gut feeling it’s a tumor and any reassurance I could have about preparing for bad news would be appreciated if it’s warranted.

hi!

long story short, my partner found out today that he needs to get RPLND surgery. he completed his 3 x BEP with his last treatment being in mid june. from this community and some googling, i've learned that this will be a pretty difficult and uncomfortable surgery with around a 6 week recovery period. and im guessing that his team will schedule him for something mid to late august since that'd be ~8 weeks since last treatment.

with that being said i have a bunch of questions and would love some suggestions!

here they are:

- how did you prep?

- i was thinking about taking him for a special date where we celebrated summer since he's been restricted and will be again. is there anything that you caution us to avoid? he really likes sour beers and patios, but im guessing doing like a beer tasting is out of the question?

- what kind of comfort items did you use to help in the recovery period? or what would you suggest for me to do as a partner to help comfort him?

- did you have any challenges with navigating ST disability or FMLA? do you have any advice there?

- were there any recipes that you enjoyed during your recovery period? my man loves a sweet treat, so any recs of that variety would be great considering most sweet treats are not low fat :')

thank you for your help! :-)) this community has been super great for me to become more knowledgeable about what he's going through! <3

Anybody not lose their hair? If so, were you 1BEP, 3BEP, or 4BEP? Or was there anything unusual that happened during your regimen? Did you miss a week, did they discontinue one of the chemo drugs? Or do we all lose our hair?

It is with a heavy heart that I share that my husband passed away from this horrible disease yesterday. He fought so hard for 2 years. He had 4xBEP, 3 brain surgeries, HDCT/SCT, and multiple rounds of brain radiation. And now the fight is over and he can finally rest.

I appreciate all of the support and encouragement I've gotten from this group. It's always been an amazing resource for us to reference.

To everyone still fighting this disease, and to the loved ones fighting alongside them, I'm thinking of you. I truly hope for healing, good news, and many more years together.

Oh, and FUCK CANCER!

Hi everyone,
My boyfriend was diagnosed with cancer in January 2025. He had one testicle removed and only needed one round of chemotherapy. By around April he was cancer-free and recovering.
We started dating in February 2026, and he told me about it around our third week of seeing each other. When he shared his story, his eyes watered a little but he didn’t cry. We were still getting to know each other, so I just held his hand and told him it was okay. I never felt sorry for him or saw him differently. I just thought, “Sometimes life throws these things at people.”
We’ve now been together for six months, and things have become quite serious. I love him deeply.
As we’ve become closer, I’ve started to see how much the cancer experience affected his emotional wellbeing. Sometimes it seems like he doesn’t see himself the way I see him. He can become quite insecure, and I think he underestimates who he is and what he has to offer. That’s the part that hurts me the most, because I see an amazing man, but I’m not sure he always does.
For those of you who are cancer survivors, or who are in relationships with one, how have you navigated this? Is this something that tends to improve with time? I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.

Background: June 2024, pure seminoma, orchi, staged 1A. June 26 CT scan showed undetermined lymph nodes in lower abdomen. Doc ordered PET/CT.

After over a month of waiting a more than a few phone calls, I finally got my PET/CT scheduled. I’ll be going in next Monday.

Today I get a super frustrating phone call from my doctor saying it will take three weeks to get the results.

That makes zero sense to me. My CT scan results came back within 24 hrs from the same facility.

My understanding is that seminoma really ‘likes’ the radioactive glucose and it will be fairly clear as to if the cancer is back.

Is that a false presumption?

I’ve been reading people’s post about how Testicular Cancer could be decided in the womb. It got me thinking about how much research focuses on how to detect it before it happens. Got me asking too many questions..

We know how to treat it and hopefully cure it when the lump or pain or other symptom appears but where are we are in finding it before then?

We all know the stats of the typical age range and survival rates at certain stages etc but what do we know about type-age range-tests that can be run to get ahead of the disease?

What research is on going for prevention?
What research is on going for after effects?

If we aren’t able to get to it early why does every high school and college give out shower cards to give self exams ?
Mandatory health was a class back in my day but we didn’t even touch on the topic.

This was a lot of thoughts late on a holiday weekend, I hope that some people have answers and insight into the research. I obviously am very invested in this topic as all of you probably know but I’m just trying to push for more so that guys don’t have a bad journey. If we can’t get to it early we need to focus on hitting every age group in the age range. This isn’t an ad for any particular organization (I love them all) but it’s 2026 and it is a powerful time that the word can be out. I’m going to keep advocating and helping guys every day but I’m going to also keep asking the questions so we can make real progress. Please let me know if you have insight into anything, I love to learn about this!

One thing I've noticed in this subreddit is that a fair number of people come back a year or more later to say they're doing well. Those posts are incredibly encouraging.

But I often wonder about the people who don't.

I know testicular cancer is often quoted as being around 95% curable, and that's reassuring. But it also means that, statistically, one in 20 don't.

Not because I assume that's what happened to everyone who disappears. Many people probably recover, move on with life, stop using Reddit, or simply don't want to revisit that chapter.

Still, there are so many accounts that post during diagnosis or treatment and then are never heard from again.

Does anyone else think about those people? I'd be genuinely interested to know how many quietly recovered and moved on versus how many unfortunately didn't.

It feels like there are a lot of stories we'll never know.

Hey everyone,

I'm now 1 month post-surgery. My appointment with the oncologist is in a few days, but the latest update from my urologist is that active surveillance every 3 months should be enough.

However, there's one question that's really been weighing on my mind...

I no longer have morning erections or spontaneous erections at all. I have to masturbate or be intimate with my partner for anything to happen, and even then, my erections are less firm than they were before.

I brought this up with my urologist, and he told me that this can be a normal response after surgery while my body adjusts and my testosterone production gets back on track.

Has anyone here experienced the same thing? If so, did things improve over the following months without TRT ?

Stay strong, everyone. 💪

Hey yall, so I had my appointment on the second, my doctor basically said that due to rising tumor (1.0 difference. 2.9 in February, 3.9 in June.) markers and a single swollen retroperitoneal lymph node measuring 1.4cm they are now suggesting I be referred to a medical oncologist for possibly BEPX3, is this standard? I was hoping to avoid chemo all together, I am going to contact Dr Einhorn to ask for his opinion, what concerns me a bit so that my pathology was predominantly Teratoma, but I did have EC and YS. (20%, 5% respectively.) is primary RPLND still on the table? Or is chemo basically a given? I was trying my best to avoid PC-RPLND due to trying to get nerve sparring if possible. Any recommendations that I should ask Dr. Einhorn? Thank you all for your collective knowledge 🙏 I love this community and I appreciate you all

Not sure if this is an unique situation or everyone has dealt with this. How do you deal with family who tried to place blame on everything your choices you made? I am on the bigger side, however I don’t drink, smoke, do drugs, or vape. Yet since pathology was released and I shared the news. All I’ve heard non stop is. “It’s all the soda you drank. You gotta stop”. “Its your bike. Riding bikes causes it.” “Stop eating processed foods it’ll increase how fast it spreads”. I am a very optimistic person and can plow my way to happiness most days. But the days these conversations happen, it almost always makes me spiral.

Thanks for listening to my rant y’all.

Hey guys,

I recently had a re-occurrence. I was in active surveillance for my EC with LVI. I was sooooo close to the two year mark and literally had my re-occurrence 5 months before the mark.

They found a single enlarged lymph node by my chest.

My doctor said I’ll need to go through BEPx3, starting July 13th.

I just need some advice how is BEP treatment, how rough will it get? And please is there light at the other end?

Will my life go back to normal, I’m a super active guy, will I able to go back to working out, running, playing sports.

Let me know, I kinda had a mental breakdown when I got the news everything’s been moving so fast.

All I wanted to do this summer was be cancer free and watch the World Cup.

Just had orchiectomy surgery on the morning of July 1st as I’m about 3-ish days into recovery. Ive been walking around outside / inside past couple days and cleaned around the house today. I just have some soreness in the scrotum but its tolerable. Also, I havent taken any of my pain meds today. Got invited to go celebrate the holiday and have a couple drinks but it’s like an hr away.

Just wondering if anyone had similar recovery and started drinking soon after this surgery or maybe any advice if I should go or not? Thanks!

For anyone who has been newly diagnosed or is currently going through treatment, I want you to know that it does get better.

I was diagnosed in September 2023, and today I can officially say I’ve been cancer-free for one full year.
The biggest piece of advice I can give is this: if there’s any chance you may want children someday, bank as much sperm as you possibly can before your orchiectomy. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do that and had to bank afterward, which significantly affected my sperm count.

No matter what stage you’re at, I would also push for monthly tumor marker bloodwork during that first year after treatment. I’d also strongly recommend getting a port before chemotherapy. Repeated IVs can become a bitch on your veins over time.

My treatment ended up being:
• 4x EP
• RPLND
• 2x EP
• 2x TIP
• 2x HDCT

This journey taught me that there’s no such thing as perfect timing. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and sometimes the biggest detours lead to the greatest blessings.

Since finishing high-dose chemotherapy last year, my wife and I decided to bet on ourselves. We bought our first home, went through IUI, conceived our first child on the very first attempt, and this month we welcomed our son into the world.

When you’re in the middle of a diagnosis or treatment, it can feel like your life is on pause while everyone else’s keeps moving forward. But that feeling doesn’t last forever. There is life after cancer, and there is hope beyond the hardest days.
Keep your head up, trust the process, and keep fighting. You’ve got this. 💪🏼