Description

Testicular cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the testicles. The testicles, also called testes are in the scrotum. The scrotum is a loose bag of under the skin of the penis. The testicles produce sperm and the hormone testosterone.

Testicular cancer is not a common type of cancer. It can occur at any age, but occurs most often between the ages of 15 and 45.

The first sign of testicular cancer is often a lump or tumor in the testis. Cancer cells can grow rapidly. Often spread outside the testicle to other parts of the body.

Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when it spreads to other parts of the body. The treatments depend on the type of testicular cancer you have and how far it has spread. Common treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include:

  • A lump or swelling in either testicle
  • A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
  • A dull pain in the lower abdomen or in the groin
  • Sudden swelling in the scrotum
  • Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
  • Enlargement or tenderness of the breast tissue
  • Back pain

Usually the testicular cancer occurs in only one testicle.

When to see a doctor

Consult your health care provider if you notice any of the symptoms that last more than two weeks. These include pain, swelling, or lumps in your testicles or groin area.

Causes

It is not clear what the cause of the majority of testicular cancers.

Testicular cancer starts when something causes changes in the DNA of cells of the testis. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. The changes that tell the cells to grow and multiply quickly. The cancer cells to continue living when healthy cells would die as part of their natural life cycle. This causes a great amount of cells in the testicles to form a mass called a tumor.

At the time, the tumor may grow beyond the testicle. Some cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body. Testicular cancer most often spreads to the lymph nodes, the liver and the lungs. When testicular cancer spreads, it is called metastatic testicular cancer.

Almost all testicular cancers begin in the germ cells. The germ cells in the testis produce sperm. It is not clear what causes changes in the DNA in germ cells.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of testicular cancer include:

  • Having an undescended testicle, which is called cryptorchidism. The testicles form in the abdomen during fetal development. Normally descend into the scrotum before birth. If you have a testicle that never descended, his risk of testicular cancer is highest. The risk is even higher if you have had surgery to move the testicle into the scrotum.
  • Having a family history of testicular cancer. If the testicular cancer runs in your family, you may have a higher risk.
  • As a young adult. Testicular cancer can occur at any age. But it is more common in adolescents and young adults between 15 and 45 years.
  • Be white. Testicular cancer is the most common in white people.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent testicular cancer. If you get testicular cancer, there is nothing you could have done to prevent it.

The detection of Testicular cancer

Some health care providers recommend regular testicular self-exams. During a testicular self-examination to feel your testicles for lumps or other changes.

Not all health care providers in accordance with this recommendation. There is no research to show that self-testing can reduce the risk of dying from testicular cancer. Even when it is at a late stage, testicular cancer is likely to be cured.

Even so, you might find that it is helpful to be aware of the usual feeling of his testicles. You can do this by doing a testicular self-exam. If you notice any changes that last more than two weeks, make an appointment with your health care provider.

Diagnosis

You can find any lumps, swelling, or other symptoms of testicular cancer on its own. They can be detected during an examination by a health care professional also. You're going to need other tests to see if testicular cancer is the cause of your symptoms.

The tests used to diagnose testicular cancer include:

  • Ultrasound.A testicular ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to create images. Can be used to make photos of the scrotum and testicles. During an ultrasound, you lie on your back with your legs spread apart. A health care provider puts a transparent gel in the scrotum. A hand from the probe moves over the scrotum to make the photos. The ultrasound gives your provider for more clues on any bulging around the testicle. You can help your provider to see if the lumps are seen as something that is not cancer, or if they look like cancer. The ultrasound shows whether the lumps are within or outside of the testicle. Lumps on the inside of the testicle are more likely to be testicular cancer.
  • Blood tests. A blood test can detect proteins that make cancer testicular cells. This type of test is called a tumor marker test. Tumor markers for testicular cancer include beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, alpha-fetoprotein, and lactate dehydrogenase. Having these substances in the blood does not mean that you have cancer. Have higher levels of what is usual, it is an indication of your health care team is used to understand what is going on in your body.
  • The surgery to remove the testicle. If your doctor thinks that a lump in the testicle can be cancerous, you may have surgery to remove the testicle. The testicle is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The tests can show if it is cancerous.

Ultrasound. A testicular ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to create images. Can be used to make photos of the scrotum and testicles. During an ultrasound, you lie on your back with your legs spread apart. A health care provider puts a transparent gel in the scrotum. A hand from the probe moves over the scrotum to make the photos.

The ultrasound gives your provider for more clues on any bulging around the testicle. You can help your provider to see if the lumps are seen as something that is not cancer, or if they look like cancer. The ultrasound shows whether the lumps are within or outside of the testicle. Lumps on the inside of the testicle are more likely to be testicular cancer.

Determine the type of cancer

The evidence in the cancer cells will give to your health care team for information on the type of testicular cancer you have. Your health care team considers your type of cancer at the time of deciding about their treatment.

The most common types of testicular cancer include:

  • Seminoma. Testicular Seminoma cancers tend to occur at a more advanced age. Seminomas often grow and spread more slowly than nonseminomas.
  • Non-seminoma. Non-seminoma testicular cancers tend to occur earlier in life. They grow and spread rapidly. Several types of nonseminomas exist. They include choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratoma and yolk sac tumor.

Other types of testicular cancer exist but are very rare.

Cancer staging

Once the doctor confirms the diagnosis, the next step is to see if the cancer has spread beyond the testicle. This is called the stage of the cancer. Helps your health care team understand your prognosis and the likelihood that your cancer is to be cured.

Tests for the staging of testicular cancer include:

  • Computed tomography (CT scan). TC take a series of X-ray imaging of the abdomen, the thorax and the pelvis. A health care provider checks the images for signs that the cancer has spread.
  • Blood tests. Tumor marker tests are often repeated after the surgery to remove the testicle. The results help your doctor determine if you might need additional treatments to kill the cancer cells. Tumor marker tests may be used during and after cancer treatment to help control your condition.

The stages of testicular cancer in the range of 0 to 3. In general, the phase 0 and phase 1 cancer only affects the testicles and the area around it. In these early stages, the cancer has not spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Stage 2 testicular cancers have spread to the lymph nodes. When testicular cancer has spread to other parts of the body, is in stage 3. Not everything in the stage 3 cancers have spread, however. Stage 3 may also mean that the cancer is in the lymph nodes and the tumor marker results are very high.

Treatment

Testicular cancer treatment often involves surgery and chemotherapy. What treatment options are best for you depends on the type of testicular cancer you have and its stage. Your health care team also considers your overall health and your preferences.

Surgery

Operations is used to treat testicular cancer include:

  • The surgery to remove the testicle. This procedure is called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. It is the first treatment for the majority of testicular cancers. In the testis, the surgeon makes an incision in the groin. The entire testicle is removed through the opening. The placement of a prosthesis, gel-filled testicle can be inserted if you choose. This could be the only treatment needed if the cancer has not spread beyond the testicle.
  • The surgery to remove the lymph nodes nearby. If there is a concern that your cancer has spread beyond the testicle, you could undergo a surgery to remove some lymph nodes. To remove the lymph nodes, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen. The lymph nodes are examined in a laboratory to detect the cancer. The surgery to remove the lymph nodes is often used to treat non-seminoma type of testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer surgery carries a risk of infection and bleeding. If you have the surgery to remove the lymph nodes, also there is a risk that a nerve can be cut. The surgeons take great care to protect the nerves. Sometimes you cut a nerve that can't be avoided. This can lead to problems with ejaculation, but does not usually affect your ability to get an erection. Ask your health care provider about the options for the preservation of his sperm before surgery.

Chemotherapy

The treatment of chemotherapy uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy travels all over the body. Is able to kill the cells of cancer that has spread beyond the testicle.

Chemotherapy is often used after surgery. You can help to kill the cancer cells that are found in the body. When testicular cancer is very advanced, sometimes chemotherapy is used before surgery.

Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the specific medications you use. Common side effects include fatigue, hearing loss and an increased risk of infection.

Chemotherapy may also cause your body to stop the production of sperm. Often, the production of sperm begins again as you get better after cancer treatment. But sometimes losing the production of sperm cells is permanent. Ask your health care provider about your options for preserving your sperm before chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells. The radiation may come from X-rays, protons, and other sources. During the radiation therapy, which is placed on a table and a large machine moves around you. The machine of the points of the energy beams at precise points on your body.

Radiation therapy is sometimes used to treat the seminoma type of testicular cancer. Radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery to remove the testicle.

Radiation therapy is not generally used for the treatment of non-seminoma type of testicular cancer.

Side effects may include nausea and fatigue. Radiation therapy also may temporarily lower sperm count. This can affect your fertility. Ask your health care provider about your options for preserving your sperm before radiotherapy.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is treatment with medicines that help your body's immune system destroys the cancer cells. Your immune system fights diseases by attacking the germs and other cells that should not be in your body. Cancer cells survive by hiding from the immune system. Immunotherapy helps the cells of the immune system find and kill cancer cells.

Immunotherapy is sometimes used for advanced testicular cancer. Could be an option if the cancer does not respond to other treatments.

Coping and support

Each person comes to an agreement with a diagnosis of testicular cancer in an individual way. You may feel scared and uncertain of his future after his diagnosis. While feelings of anxiety may never go away, you can make a plan to help handle their emotions. Try:

  • Learn enough about the testicular cancer to feel comfortable making decisions about your care. Write questions and ask them at your next appointment. Ask your health care team for the sources that can help you learn more about testicular cancer. Good places to start include the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.
  • Take care of yourself. Make healthy choices into your daily life to prepare for the treatment of cancer. Eating a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Get enough rest to wake you up every morning feeling refreshed. Find ways to reduce stress so you can concentrate on your recovery. Try to exercise most days of the week. If you smoke, stop. Talk with your doctor about medications and other ways to help you stop smoking.
  • Connect with other cancer survivors. Find other survivors of testicular cancer in your community or online. In contact with the American Cancer Society for support groups in your area.
  • Stay connected with your loved ones. Your family and friends are so concerned about their health as they are. They want to help, so don't turn down their offers to help. Close friends and family will listen when you need someone to talk to, or provide a distraction when you're feeling down.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have any symptoms that worry you.

If your doctor suspects that you may have testicular cancer, you may be referred to a specialist. This could be a doctor who diagnoses and treats conditions of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. This doctor is called to a urologist. Or you could see a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer. This doctor is called an oncologist.

What you can do

Because appointments can be brief, it is a good idea to be prepared. Try:

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time of making the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including any other medical condition, the major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking.
  • Consider the possibility of a family member or friend. Sometimes it is difficult to assimilate all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who comes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will probably ask a lot of questions. Be ready to answer them may allow more time to cover other points you want to address. Your provider may ask:

  • When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

Your time with your doctor is limited. Make a list of questions so you are ready to make the most of your time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For testicular cancer, some basic questions to ask include:

  • Do I have testicular cancer?
  • What type of testicular cancer do I have?
  • Can you explain my pathology report for me? I have a copy of my pathology report?
  • What is the stage of my testicular cancer?
  • Will I need additional tests?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What are the odds that the treatment is going to cure my cancer of the testicle?
  • What are the side effects and risks of each treatment option?
  • There is a treatment you think is best for me?
  • What would you recommend to a friend or family member in my situation?
  • You should see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
  • If you would like a second opinion, you can recommend a specialist?
  • I am concerned about my ability to have children in the future. What can I do prior to treatment to plan for the possibility of infertility?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, do not hesitate to ask questions to think about during your appointment.

Symptoms and treatment of Testicular cancer