Disease: Testicular Cancer

Understanding Testicular Cancer

Though rare, testicular cancer is a real risk for many young men. Frequent self-examination is the best way to detect this disease early.

Few conditions are more frightening to a man than testicular cancer. Though the disease accounts for only 1 percent of cancers in men, it's the most common form of cancer among young men ages 15 to 34. About 8,400 men were expected to be diagnosed with testicular cancer in the United States in 2009, and 380 of these cases could be fatal.

Testicular Cancer: What Is It?

Testicular cancer is cancer that forms in the testis, the egg-shaped glands inside a man's scrotum that manufacture sperm, as well as other male hormones, such as testosterone. Testicular cancer can occur in one or both testes. The two main types of testicular cancer are:

  • Seminomas, which grow slowly and respond better to radiation treatment
  • Non-seminomas, which grow more quickly

More often than not, both types of testicular cancer form in the germ cells, which are the cells within the testicles that produce immature sperm.

Testicular Cancer: Who's at Risk

The most frustrating thing about testicular cancer is that researchers still aren't sure why it occurs. "There is no known cause," says Philip Kantoff, MD, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and chief of solid tumor oncology at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. "The strongest association is with an undescended testis and, in some cases, there is also a family history of the disease."

White men also seem to have a greater risk of testicular cancer than other ethnicities, and their rate of testicular cancer has doubled over the last 40 years. The rate of testicular cancer has also begun to increase among black men.

Testicular Cancer: Signs and Symptoms

Dr. Kantoff says the best way to detect testicular cancer early is through frequent self-exams. "Examine your testicles regularly. The shower is a good place," he says. "If you feel something abnormal, such as a lump in the testicle, consult your doctor."

Other signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include:

  • Swelling of the testicles
  • A general change in how they feel
  • A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
  • A build-up of fluid in the testicle or scrotum
  • Pain or discomfort in and around the testicles

Testicular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment

If your doctor suspects that you might have testicular cancer, other tests will be used to confirm the diagnosis, including a blood test to look for "tumor markers," substances that are present in the blood in higher levels in those with cancer. Other ways of detecting testicular cancer are with an ultrasound or a biopsy, in which a sample of tissue is collected and analyzed for cancer cells.

The most common treatment for testicular cancer is surgical removal of the testicle. This is very worrisome for most men, but it's not as bad as it sounds. Men with one testicle can still produce sperm and achieve an erection. Children are also still an option for most men with testicular cancer. "You should still be fertile and potent," says Kantoff. "Men can have a prosthesis inserted if they want. Also, you can always bank sperm before the surgery just in case."

Many men also undergo radiation therapy after the surgery, which is intended to kill any cancer cells that still remain in the area. This treatment is more common with seminoma cancers than with non-seminomas, as non-seminomas are less sensitive to the therapy. If the cancer is more advanced and has spread beyond the testicles, chemotherapy may also be needed as part of the treatment.

The good news about testicular cancer is that it's rarely fatal. "Both seminoma and non-seminoma cancers have a very good outcome," says Kantoff. In fact, more than 95 percent of testicular cancer cases can be cured. It helps to catch the disease early, which can improve the outcome and require less aggressive treatment.

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com

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