Testicular cancer

Oncology · Known disease · updated 2026-10-30

BioMG follows French guidelines. Adapt it to the guidelines and the tests available where you practise.

Frequency: About 2 200 new cases a year in France, 1 to 1.5% of cancers in men, 85% of cases between 15 and 49 years (estimates from the 2011 HAS-INCa guide) ^[1]

Testicular cancer

Laboratory tests

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
Total hCG
LDH
Total testosterone (if clinical signs of hypogonadism)if neededThe HAS guide to procedures and services provides for testosterone, LH and FSH “as needed” ^[2]; the HAS-INCa guide specifies: total testosterone in case of clinical signs of hypogonadism after orchidectomy ^[1]. The EAU asks for screening for testosterone deficiency during follow-up ^[3].
LHif neededProvided for “as needed” in the HAS guide to procedures and services ^[2], in addition to testosterone if hypogonadism is suspected.
FSHif neededProvided for “as needed” in the HAS guide to procedures and services ^[2], in addition to testosterone if hypogonadism is suspected.
Semen analysis (if the impact on fertility needs to be checked)if neededThe HAS-INCa guide lists semen analysis monitoring among the aims of follow-up (possible impact on fertility) and places it “if needed” in screening for hypofertility after orchidectomy ^[1].
Lipid profile (if previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy, once a year)if needednon-French guidelineGermany (S3) provides for a check once a year with lipids, testosterone and LH throughout follow-up, as the components of the metabolic syndrome increase with treatment intensity ^[4]. The American Family Physician cites a more than doubled risk of atherosclerosis after radiotherapy or chemotherapy in a retrospective study, with no screening recommendation specific to this cancer: it sticks to the usual screening for risk factors ^[5]. The HAS-INCa guide does not provide for specific surveillance of the metabolic syndrome after chemotherapy, but for management of its risk factors ^[1].

Detailed explanation and international comparison (in French): read it in English (machine translation)

Suspicious testicular mass, before orchidectomy

Laboratory tests, before any management

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
Total hCG
LDH
FBCif neededListed as “all patients – initial assessment – follow-up” in the HAS guide to procedures and services, with serum creatinine, electrolytes and PT/aPTT ^[2]: tests that accompany hospital management, with no recommendation on the place to give them in primary care.
Serum creatinine with eGFRif neededListed as “all patients – initial assessment” in the HAS guide to procedures and services ^[2].
Serum electrolytesif neededListed as “all patients – initial assessment – follow-up” in the HAS guide to procedures and services ^[2].
PT, aPTTif neededHaemostasis tests listed as “all patients – initial assessment – follow-up” in the HAS guide to procedures and services ^[2].

Detailed explanation and international comparison (in French): read it in English (machine translation)

Sources (8)