Testicular Mesothelioma: The Rare Asbestos-Linked Cancer Few People Know About
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by long-term exposure to asbestos, a once widely used but toxic building material. Most mesothelioma cases affect the lungs (pleural) or abdomen (peritoneal). However, in exceptionally rare cases, this cancer can form in the testicles—a condition known as testicular mesothelioma.
Because it accounts for less than 5% of all mesothelioma cases, testicular mesothelioma is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and difficult to detect until symptoms become advanced.
What Is Testicular Mesothelioma?
Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis, the thin layer of tissue surrounding the testes. Like other types of mesothelioma, it is almost always caused by asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can enter the body when inhaled or ingested and can remain trapped for decades. Over time, they damage DNA and cause genetic mutations that may eventually trigger cancer. Because this process can take 30 years or more, many people are diagnosed late in life—long after the exposure occurred.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Diagnosing testicular mesothelioma can be challenging because its symptoms often resemble other, more common conditions.
Possible warning signs include:
- Swelling, pain, or discoloration in the scrotum
- Fluid buildup around the testicle (hydrocele)
- A lump or painless mass in the testicle
- Swelling in the epididymis (the tube that carries sperm)
- A cyst or thickening of the scrotal wall
Because these symptoms may appear benign, proper diagnosis typically requires imaging, biopsy, and review by a specialist familiar with asbestos-related diseases.
Treatment and Prognosis
The most common treatment is surgery, specifically an orchiectomy—the removal of the affected testicle and nearby tissue. This may be followed by chemotherapy, often using cisplatin and pemetrexed, the same drugs used for pleural mesothelioma.
While there is no standardized treatment plan due to the rarity of the disease, patients with testicular mesothelioma generally have a better prognosis than those with other mesothelioma types. Studies show that roughly 50% of patients live at least five years after diagnosis, and about one-third survive ten years or longer.
How Madeksho Law Can Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. For decades, companies knowingly used asbestos in manufacturing, construction, and military products despite its known dangers—putting countless workers and families at risk.
At Madeksho Law, we’ve been helping mesothelioma victims and their families since 1972, recovering over $400 million in compensation. Our experienced and compassionate attorneys are ready to guide you through your legal options, ensure your rights are protected, and fight for the justice you deserve.
📞 Call 888-910-MESO (6376) or reach out through our secure contact form for a free and confidential consultation.
