Basketball Player Diagnosed with Testicular Cancer Returns to Professional Sports Within Months

Suspicion arose from a urine test

Artūras Valeika had no idea he was ill—he felt healthy and was actively playing professional sports. The early diagnosis happened by chance: a specific mandatory urine test revealed abnormal indicators.
"I had no symptoms at all. I think it was a miracle they ran that test and noticed something suspicious. The doctors then began searching for the reason behind those changes in the results. After all, I felt fine," Artūras recalls.

He turned to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where he was diagnosed with stage I testicular cancer. He underwent surgery to remove a testicle but did not require chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
"The cancer was caught at stage I, so I had the testicle removed, and no further treatment was needed. It has been about nine months since the surgery. I feel good and now only need to check in with the doctor every six months," he says.

Returning to the court

Artūras has been playing professional basketball for 18 years. The disease did not interrupt his career.
"I still play basketball. Removing the testicle did not significantly affect my performance. I only needed about a month off after the surgery. Since the operation was done in summer, during the off-season, I had time to recover and return to the sport," he shares.

He expresses his gratitude to the doctors at the National Cancer Institute and is glad the disease was caught early.
"I was very satisfied with the doctors and the quality of care at NCI. Previously, I had gone to another hospital, where they saw a spot on my testicle but just decided to monitor it. When I came to NCI and saw Dr. Aušvydas Patašius, the cancer was quickly diagnosed and surgery was scheduled," Artūras says.

Treatment begins with surgery

According to NCI urologist Dr. Marius Kinčius, treatment for testicular cancer begins with surgery.
"The operation is both therapeutic and diagnostic. Only after the removed testicle is pathologically examined can we determine the type of cancer. After surgery, the patient can return to their normal life—working, exercising, and staying active," explains the doctor.

"When it comes to stage I testicular cancer, where possible, we now increasingly recommend avoiding additional systemic treatment—like chemotherapy. This helps prevent long-term complications such as infertility, lung fibrosis, or secondary tumors," says Dr. Kinčius.

In the past, stage I patients were divided into low- and high-risk groups. Now there are three categories—low, intermediate, and very high risk. Adjuvant chemotherapy is necessary only for very high-risk patients, which make up around 10% of all stage I testicular cancer cases. For low and intermediate-risk patients, long-term monitoring shows that only a small number will need systemic or surgical treatment later.

Testicle removal is always part of treatment

"If very small lesions are found, testicle-sparing surgery (resection) can be considered, especially for men with only one testicle. Testicular reconstruction is not possible, but a prosthetic testicle can be implanted. However, these prosthetics are not covered by national health insurance," explains Dr. Kinčius.

A young man’s disease with specific symptoms

Testicular cancer typically affects young men aged 20 to 40. In Lithuania, 40–60 men are diagnosed with it each year, making up about 1% of all male cancer cases. The highest incidence is found in Northern Europe, with up to 10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In contrast, rates are below 1 per 100,000 in Asia and Africa. Lithuania has a relatively low rate—about 2.7 cases per 100,000.

"Five-year survival for testicular cancer in Lithuania is around 90%. A few men die each year from this disease, but they are young, active individuals with their lives ahead of them. That’s why early diagnosis is critical," emphasizes Dr. Kinčius.

The disease has distinctive symptoms:
"A painless, growing, hard lump in the testicle. Diagnosis is based on physical examination, palpation, blood tests, and imaging like CT or MRI," says Dr. Kinčius.

Standard urine tests do not detect cancer

While Artūras' case began with a urine test, Dr. Kinčius stresses that a general urine test does not detect testicular cancer.
"The hormones that can indicate cancer are not screened in routine tests. They are measured in doping-related urine tests used for professional athletes," he says.

Men sometimes confuse the symptoms with other conditions.
"Symptoms may resemble epididymal cysts, hydroceles, or epididymitis. Occasionally, men worry after feeling the epididymis, a normal anatomical structure. But the key symptoms of testicular cancer are a painless, enlarging, hard lump in the scrotum," says the doctor.

Self-examination is crucial

Dr. Kinčius encourages men to perform regular self-examinations to detect changes early.
"Every man should palpate his testicles once a month or every two months, starting in adolescence. Choose a date that’s easy to remember—like the first of the month. After a shower, when the scrotum is relaxed, gently roll each testicle between your fingers. Healthy testicles are firm, smooth, and slightly different in size and position," he advises.

The three steps of self-examination:

1. Locate the epididymis – a smooth, tube-like structure on top of the testicle.

2. Find the spermatic cord – a firm, uniform tube extending upward from the testicle.

3. Palpate the testicle itself – medium-firm, smooth surface, egg-shaped.

If you feel any lumps, hardening, or swelling, see a urologist immediately.