Testicular Mesothelioma

As Mike was showering one night, he felt a small lump in his right testicle. He didn’t think too much of it at the time. At a family reunion just the day before, he was tossing the football around with his small grandsons. They had gotten a bit carried away at one point and smashed into him between his legs.

He hurt plenty at the time, but it didn’t last. Mike figured that whatever this was, it would go away on its own. However, several weeks later, Mike was concerned enough to contact his doctor. It turns out, Mike has testicular mesothelioma.

Find out more about testicular mesothelioma, your prognosis, and treatment options. We also provide information about your possible legal options and financial compensation.

What Is Testicular Mesothelioma?

Testicular mesothelioma develops in a very specific part of the testicle called the tunica vaginalis. Testicular mesothelioma is incredibly rare. Less than 1% of all forms of mesothelioma originate in the tunica vaginalis. ⁽¹⁾

Testicular mesothelioma is most likely to be diagnosed in men 55 to 75 years of age. The frequency rate goes up as men get older. Men over 80 years of age have a nearly 20 times higher rate of being diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma compared to men younger than 50. ⁽²⁾

Exposure to asbestos is a key risk factor for developing any kind of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma has a long latency period. This means you can be exposed when you’re in your 20s, and not develop mesothelioma for decades. ⁽³⁾

Due to its rarity, people don’t often suspect mesothelioma of being in your testicles. Most people think of it as starting in the lining around your lungs. Mesothelioma can also form in the lining around your abdomen, and the sac around your heart. ⁽⁴⁾

Recognizing the Symptoms & Diagnosing Testicular Mesothelioma Early

If you have been exposed to asbestos, check for these common signs of testicular cancer periodically. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and your signs of cancer in general can be similar. Typical symptoms to be aware of include: ⁽⁵⁾

• A lump or swelling in your testicle.
• Any feeling of heaviness in your scrotum.
• A dull ache in your lower belly or groin.
• Any sudden swelling in your scrotum.
• Pain or discomfort in your testicle or scrotum.
• Back pain.

Another symptom you might notice is a buildup of fluid in your scrotum. Your scrotum is the covering of skin over your testicles. Some of these first signs are subtle. Also, keep in mind that testicular cancer usually starts in just one testicle. ⁽⁶⁾ 

The earlier you discover something unusual, the more likely you can get it taken care of. Particularly if what you discover is testicular mesothelioma, early diagnosis can make all the difference. ⁽⁷⁾

Tests to Diagnose Testicular Mesothelioma

The earlier your diagnosis, the less invasive and intensive your treatment is likely to be. Diagnosis of any disease when it has advanced means you need more rigorous treatment. ⁽⁸⁾

These are some of the tests used to diagnose testicular cancer: ⁽⁹⁾

How Asbestos Exposure Causes Testicular Mesothelioma

When it comes to testicular mesothelioma, like other forms of mesothelioma, asbestos is the culprit. The problem starts when you inhale or ingest asbestos fibers.

You can be exposed to asbestos at your place of work, in your garage doing car repairs, at home doing a remodeling project, or many other places. Many of the products you use or are near can cause asbestos exposure.

Asbestos exposure is something all forms of mesothelioma have in common. People indirectly exposed to asbestos can also get mesothelioma. ⁽¹¹⁾

How Does Asbestos Cause Cancer?

Asbestos fibers are tiny. They can become stuck wherever they go in your body — in organs or cavities. They are foreign objects that lead to inflammation. ⁽¹²⁾

Asbestos exposure can lead to irrevocable cellular damage. This damage can lead to cancerous cells. These cells replicate themselves over and over again, changing the tissues around them. Membranes that have been damaged thicken. Fluid builds up in otherwise open spaces in membrane layers. ⁽¹³⁾

Testicular Mesothelioma Treatment by Stage: Why Early Diagnosis Matters

When it comes to treatment options, the less advanced your testicular mesothelioma is, the better. Mesothelioma is aggressive and can spread fast. ^{(14) (15)}

Early-Stage Mesothelioma

According to the National Cancer Institute, you have a better prognosis if your lump is caught when it’s about the size of a pea. If the lump is contained and hasn’t spread anywhere, your doctor may be able to surgically remove it entirely. ⁽¹⁶⁾

At this early stage, you might also undergo radiation and chemotherapy. Your prognosis is good if all the mesothelioma has been removed and destroyed. ⁽¹⁷⁾

Metastasized Mesothelioma

However, with mesothelioma, this window could close fast. It’s critical to remember that the type of cancer you have, and the speed of diagnosis, matter more than where cancer is initially found in your body. In other words, you might think testicular mesothelioma is less deadly because it formed in your testicle rather than a lung. ⁽¹⁸⁾

Sadly, no matter where you develop mesothelioma, it is a deadly cancer. If mesothelioma forms in your testicle, those cancer cells can easily pass into your bloodstream or lymph nodes. From there, those mesothelioma cancer cells can travel just about anywhere in your body, including your lungs. ^{(19) (20)}

If mesothelioma testicular cancer travels to your lungs, it’s still testicular mesothelioma. The process of moving to another part of your body is called metastasis. Once testicular mesothelioma has metastasized, your prognosis for treatment and recovery is far less optimistic. ⁽²¹⁾

Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer: What to Expect

These types of treatment are possible. The specific combination depends on your unique circumstances. ⁽²²⁾

• Surgery: When possible, surgery is a standard go-to. Your doctor might remove your entire testicle, called an inguinal orchiectomy. Some surrounding lymph nodes might also be removed. If tumors form in other parts of your body, they may be partially or completely removed.
• Radiation therapy: Radiation involves using a specific type of X-ray or radiation aimed at killing cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Specific drugs are given to kill cancer cells or stop them from multiplying. Chemotherapy is sometimes injected into your muscles or veins. Sometimes, you take the drug by mouth.
• Surveillance: Surveillance simply means watching for signs of change to see if your cancer is returning.
• High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant: Chemotherapy is used first. Then, doctors used a process involving stem cell replacement. A surgeon removes immature blood cells called stem cells. These are taken from either your or a donor’s blood or bone marrow. The cells are then frozen and stored. After chemotherapy, doctors infuse these replacement cells back into you.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation for Asbestos Exposure

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma, you were probably exposed to asbestos at some point in time. Maybe it was 40 years ago for one summer. Or every day for 30 years at your auto manufacturing job. Or 20 years ago when you were a baby, when you were exposed to talcum or baby powder contaminated with asbestos.

You may not be able to pinpoint your exposure, but asbestos exposure is to blame. Inhalation or ingestion of just a few asbestos fibers can lead to this severe illness decades later. 

The companies responsible for your asbestos exposure don’t care that you might get sick. They pay more attention to the money they’re making than the dangers they create.

But you have legal options, and Weitz & Luxenberg can help you with them. Asbestos is a known carcinogen. When companies recklessly and irresponsibly make and sell dangerous products, we can hold them accountable. And you may be entitled to financial compensation.

Where to Find Emotional, Financial & Practical Support for Mesothelioma

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can turn to these organizations for support. In addition to general information, they offer support whether you’ve been diagnosed, are going through treatment, or are facing the loss of a loved one:

• American Cancer Society: This organization has support available 24 hours a day, every day of the week. It offers information and emotional support for whatever you’re going through. It also provides caregivers guidance and support. In addition, it can help you find free lodging, as well as transportation. ^{(23) (24)}
• Gilda’s Club. Cancer Support Community: Gilda’s Club offers cancer support to patients, family members, friends, loved ones, and caregivers. It offers a variety of programs for anyone affected by cancer. There are over 200 locations around the world. The organization provides information about support groups, yoga programs, and educational workshops. All of its programs are available at no cost to those touched by a cancer diagnosis. ⁽²⁵⁾
• CancerCare: This national organization provides general information, educational resources, and listings of support groups and counseling services. One of the most helpful pages is a listing of financial assistance organizations. This list names governmental organizations, pharmaceutical assistance programs, community organizations, and nonprofit groups. ⁽²⁶⁾

Get the Justice You Deserve: Contact Weitz & Luxenberg for Legal Support

Testicular mesothelioma starts in the testicle. But above all, it is a form of mesothelioma. To fight against this disease, you need to act fast.

When it comes to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure is the culprit. You need a law firm that knows how to fight and win asbestos exposure legal cases.

That is where a national firm like Weitz & Luxenberg can make all the difference for your family. For roughly 40 years, we have targeted companies that act irresponsibly and expose people to asbestos. We hold them accountable at every turn.

W&L has a solid history of winning asbestos lawsuits for people with mesothelioma. Over the years, we have secured $26 billion on behalf of our clients. We encourage you to contact us now for more information about how we can help you. 

For an initial consultation at no charge, call us at (917) LAWYERS or fill out the form on the page. One of our representatives can reach out shortly.

Updated September 2025