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Testicular Cancer
 Cancer can attack
any part of the body: lungs, stomach, reproductory organs and many other parts. A common form of cancer in men is
testicular cancer. This is a cancer that occurs in the male sex glands in the scrotum. Testicles produce and store sperms while producing male hormones.
Testicular cancer is also known as germ cell tumor and is of two kinds - seminoma or non-seminoma. About 40% of testicular cancer are seminoma
type and the other are divided into four sub-types: choriocarcinoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma and
yolk sac tumors. The cancer can sometimes also be a combination of both cancers, and are called mixed germ-cell tumors.
Testicular cancer is prevalent in men aged between 15 and 35 and is more common in white men than Asians and blacks. The exact causes are still unknown, but there are various risk factors that can induce testicular cancer.
Underdevelopment of testicles, Klinefelter’s syndrome where the man experiences sterility, small testes, breast enlargement and lesser male hormones and those who have had testicular cancer are all prone developing cancer on the other testicle in the 25 years after the attack.
There is nothing that can be done to prevent testicular cancer; the most that could be done is its early detection. Testicular self-exam is a great means of diagnosing testicular cancer; it is always better to test testicles immediately after bathing as this is when the scrotal sac is relaxed. The testicles have to be rolled between the forefinger and thumb for any signs of lumps.
Besides a lump, swelling in the testicles or some changes in the feel of the testicle are symptoms for testicular cancer. Accumulation of fluid in the scrotum or pain in the scrotum is also considered as symptoms of testicular cancer. Though these symptoms may signify other conditions, it is always better to have a physician evaluate the condition.
Testicular cancer can also be diagnosed through ultrasound of the scrotum or a biopsy. Once testicular cancer is detected, treatment is rendered according to the extent of the condition.
Depending on whether testicular cancer is seminoma or non-seminoma, and its stage, is its treatment determined. All treatments involve the removal of the affected testicle. However, as this can affect fertility and sexuality, this has to be discussed with the family. With the removal of a testicle, the other testicle is capable of producing sperms and an erection so that it is possible to father a child.
However, any other surgery, radiation and chemotherapy also affect sperm production and
ejaculation. So the treatment should be discussed before adapting it. In non-seminomas, the lymph nodes are also removed to find out the extent of tumor spread. However, this is not necessary in seminomas as CT scans provide sufficient information.
Radiation is preferable for seminomas, and not for nonseminomas as they are not sensitive to radiation. When giving radiation, the remaining testicle is usually shielded to prevent radiation reaching it as this may hamper its ability in producing sperms. Though
sperm count may reduce after radiation, it returns to normal in a few years of treatment.
Chemotherapy is administered after surgery through injections or orally to kill any tumor cells there may be in the body. Whatever the treatment adapted, it is necessary to have follow up testing because there is always the chance of a recurrence of a second tumor. There are different follow up testing routines to be adapted; it all depends on the case.
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