Testicular cancer is a cancer that affects your testicles.
Testicles are reproductive glands that produce male sex hormones and sperm.
Testicles are also called testes and are located below your penis, in a pouch called the scrotum.
Testicular cancer can affect one or both testicles.
Testicular cancer represents just a small portion of all male cancers but it is the most common cancers in men aged 20 - 40 years.
The good news is, testicular cancer is treatable male cancer.
Types Of Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer begins in the cells that produce sperm, called germ cells.
There are two main types of germ cell tumours,
1. Seminoma
2. Non-seminoma
Seminoma
Seminoma testicular cancer is a slow growing cancer affecting men aged between 25 to 45 years old and also older men aged 55 to 60 years old.
Non-seminoma
Non-seminoma testicular cancer is more aggressive and is more likely to occur in younger men aged 15 to 35 years old.
It can spread to the bones and other organs such as the lungs, liver and brain.
Testicular cancer with both seminoma and non-seminoma cells are present, is treated as non-seminoma.
Testicular Cancer Causes And Risk Factors
The cause of testicular cancer is unknown but there are 4 Risk Factors Associated With Testicular Cancer.
1. Cryptorchidism or undescended testicle:
The testicles normally form in the abdomen of a male foetus and descend into the scrotum before birth, or within three months after birth.
In some cases, one or both testicles may not descend into the scrotum and remain in the abdomen.
This condition is known as cryptorchidism. It can be corrected with surgery.
But, even if it is corrected with surgery, may still be at risk of developing testicular cancer in later years.
2. Klinefelter’s syndrome:
This is a genetic disorder causing abnormal testicle development.
3. Personal or family history of testicular cancer.
4. Age between 20 and 40 years old.
Testicular Cancer Is Treatable When Detected Early
Testicular cancer typically presents with a painless lump in one or both testicles.
You may also be a heavy sensation in the testicle.
Testicular cancer symptoms do not always involve the testes. They may include the following:
1. A swelling or lump in one or both testicles. Often, with no pain.
2. A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.
3. A dull ache or feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen or groin.
In advanced cases, where the cancer might have spread beyond the testicles, you may also be suffering from more general symptoms such as:
- Lower back pain
- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Excessive sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fever
Diagnosis And Stages Of Testicular Cancer
Most often, testicular cancer is discovered at home during self-examination. But, the following are, how testicular is being diagnosed.
These are 4 Ways Used To Diagnose Testicular Cancer.
1. Testicular ultrasound.
2. Blood tests to determine the level of tumour markers.
3. Removal of the affected testicle.
4. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis.
There are 3 Stages Of Testicular Cancer
Stage 1: The cancer is limited to the testicles.
Stage 2: It has spread to the lymph nodes within the abdomen or pelvis.
Stage 3: The cancer has spread beyond the abdomen to other parts of the body.
In advanced cases, a CT scan of the chest and the brain may be performed to determine the extent of spread of the cancer.
Testicular Cancer Treatments
Testicular cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of the cancer, and the general health of a patient.
Treatment options include,
1. Surgery
2. Radiation therapy
3. Chemotherapy.
Surgery
The primary treatment for all types and stages of testicular cancer is surgical removal of the testicle, called radical inguinal orchiectomy.
The orchiectomy also provides the actual diagnosis of testicular cancer.
During an orchiectomy, the surgeon will make a small incision in the groin and remove the entire cancerous testicle or testicles.
If the patient so wishes, he can have a prosthetic testicle inserted in place of the cancerous one.
An orchiectomy can be done as an outpatient or inpatient procedure, depending on the overall health of the patient.
Surgery may be followed by radiation or chemotherapy to contain the spread of cancer and reduce the risk of its recurrence.
If the cancer is at stage 1, it may be possible to have no further treatment other than regular follow-up visits to your doctor, after the orchiectomy.
Early stage testicular cancer has been associated with a cure rate of more than 95 per cent. Your doctor will discuss this option with you. Whichever option you choose, you will be closely monitored by regular measurements of your blood markers and radiological assessments to check for any recurrence of cancer.
Radiation
In this treatment procedure, X-rays are used to kill cancer cells.
Seminoma testicular cancer is a slow spreading cancer which responds well to radiation.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy, which uses drugs to kill cancer cells, is effective after surgery in advanced cases of both seminoma and non-seminoma testicular cancer.
The more aggressive non-seminoma testicular cancer is more effectively treated by chemotherapy than by radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy is used when the advanced cancer involved distant lymph nodes, organs such as the lungs or liver, or in recurrent disease.
However, chemotherapy has some side effects, the most serious being an increased risk of infertility.
Your ability to father children may be affected by chemotherapy.
Your doctor may refer you to a reproductive clinic so that can consider freezing your sperm for future use.
Posted by: Mo Salle
Monday, March 2, 2015
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