Testicular Cancer the Most Common Cancer in Men

What is Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy among males between 15 and 40 years of age.

Testicular cancer, or cancer of the testes, is a cancer that develops in the testicles (testes), inside the scrotum. The scrotum is a loose bag of skin under the penis. Testicles are responsible for the production of male sex hormones, sperm and testosterone, a part of the male reproductive system.

The testicles are a pair of male sex glands, also known as gonads. Testicular cancer occurs when the cells become malignant (cancerous) in either one or both testicles.

Testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers. Even for the relatively few cases in which malignant cancer has spread widely, chemotherapy offers a cure rate of at least 85 percent today.

What are the signs and symptoms of Testicular Cancer?

The most common signs and symptoms of testicular cancer are as follows:

•    a hard and painless lump or swelling in a testicle
•    feeling pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
•    an enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels
•    a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

Other symptoms include:

•    lower back ache
•    blood in the semen
•    heavy sensation or pain in the lower abdomen or groin
•    decreased sexual drive
•    a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
•    and unexplained fatigue

These symptoms can be caused by cancer or by other conditions. Not all lumps on the testicles are tumors, and not all tumors are malignant. There are many other conditions such as testicular microlithiasis, epididymal cycts, appendix testis (hydatid of Morgagni). They might be painful but are non-cancerous. It is important to see a doctor to determine the cause of any of these symptoms.

Who are at risk of Testicular Cancer?

The exact causes of testicular cancer are not known. However, studies have shown that several factors increased a man's chance of developing this disease.

The following are risk factors for developing testicular cancer:

Heredity and family history of testicular cancer

The risk for testicular cancer is likely to develop in men whose close male relative, brother or father has had the disease.

Age

Male age groups 15 – 40 years of age are the most at risk. However, older men can still develop it.

Undescended testicles (crytorchidism)

Normally, the testicles are formed inside the abdomen during foetal development and descended into the scrotum prior to birth. The risk of testicular cancer is increased in males whose testicle does not move down into the scrotum a condition known as crytorchidism. Surgery can rectify this situation but does not reduce the risk of developing testicular cancer among men with undescended testicle (crytorchidism). The increased risk applies to both testicles.

Congenital testicular abnormalities

The risk of testicular cancer is higher among men born with abnormal testicles (smaller or abnormal shaped testicles) and testicular malfunctions (klinefelter’s syndrome, where the male is born with an extra X chromosome).

Hernia in the groin area

Men born with a hernia in the groin area (inguinal hernia) have a higher risk of developing testicular cancer.

History of testicular cancer

Men who have had testicular cancer before are at risk of developing cancer in the other testicle.