When cancer cells begin to grow in the testicles it is called testicular cancer. Testicles (testes) are located in the scrotum (a loose bag of skin under the penis). Testes produce sperm and a hormone (Testosterone). This cancer type occurs not commonly and can appear at any age. However, more commonly it is diagnosed in men between 15-45 years old.
A bump or lump on the testicle is usually the primary symptom of testicular cancer. In some cases, cancer cells can spread throughout the body.
This cancer type can be treated using surgery and chemotherapy.
Symptoms
- Heaviness in the scrotum
- Swelling or lump in one testicle
- Sudden swelling in the scrotum
- Tenderness or enlargement of the breast tissue
- Back pain
- Discomfort or pain in testicles or scrotum
- Dull aches in the lower abdomen or groin
In most cases, testicular cancer happens in one testicle only. If any of the previous symptoms lasts more than 14 days, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
Causes
Experts cannot identify the exact cause of most testicular cancers. In some cases, this cancer type begins when a gene mutation happens. When the cells start to grow and multiply quickly it may lead to a tumor. Over time, if it is not treated it can spread to other body parts (tissues and organs). Mostly, testicular cancer spreads to the liver, lungs, and lymph nodes.
Moreover, approximately all testicular cancers begin in the germ cells (testicular cells that produce sperm). In any case, healthcare professionals do not understand why DNA changes in germ cells.
Risk Factors
- Cryptorchidism (when a person has an undescended testicle)
- Family history of testicular cancer
- Aging – People usually experience this cancer type during early adulthood.
- White people are more prone to develop testicular cancer than others.
Prevention
It is not possible to do something to prevent testicular cancer. However, doctors may advise you to self-examinations for lumps or any other changes. You should know that there are no studies that self-exams help to prevent testicular cancer.
Moreover, even if you have a late stage of testicular cancer it is likely to be cured. Immediately, contact your healthcare professional if you notice some changes during self-examination.
Diagnosis
Many people with testicular cancer notice swelling or lumps on their own but they can be identified during a physical examination too. However, physicians can also order you to do some tests that will help to confirm the condition. Examples include:
- Ultrasound – This test involves sound waves to make pictures of the scrotum and testes. It can identify lumps around testicles and helps your doctor to diagnose the condition.
- Blood tests – It is used to identify proteins produced by testicular cancer cells. This test is known as the tumor marker test. It looks for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, alpha-fetoprotein, and lactate dehydrogenase.
- Surgery – This is a procedure that involves the removal of lumps that your physician thinks are cancerous. In some cases, surgeons remove the testicle for a laboratory test that will show whether it is cancerous or not.
Testicular Cancer Types
When physicians perform tests they can also determine the cancer type you experience. Check below the most common testicular cancer types:
- Seminoma – This type usually happens in older people. It grows and spreads to other body tissues and organs more slowly compared to nonseminoma.
- Nonseminoma – In such cases, people may experience testicular cancer earlier in life. Moreover, it grows and spreads quickly. Nonseminoma types include choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, and yolk sac tumor.
There are other testicular cancer types but they happen rarely.
Stages
When a person is diagnosed with this cancer type, doctors will determine its stage to understand the prognosis. Cancer stage means how far cancer cells spread from the testicles. Check below some tests that help to stage testicular cancer:
- CT (computed tomography) scan – This test takes pictures of your abdomen, chest, and pelvic area to determine if the cancer cells spread to other body parts.
- Blood tests – You should do tumor marker tests repeatedly after surgery to ensure you have destroyed all cancer cells. If not, you may need additional treatments.
Experts classify testicular cancer into 4 stages (from 0 to 3). For example:
- Stages 0 and 1 – The first two stages impact the testes only and certain areas around it but do not go to other body parts.
- Stage 2 – In this stage, the cancer cells spread to lymph nodes.
- Stage 3 – Cancer cells start spreading to other body parts during this stage. However, not every time cancer spreads in people at this stage.
Treatment
The main testicular cancer treatment involves surgery and chemotherapy. However, it depends on the stage, severity, age, and other factors. Check below some treatment options:
Surgery
- Surgery to remove the testicle – This procedure is also known as radical inguinal orchiectomy and is mostly used to treat testicular cancer. In case the cancer has not spread to other body parts it may be the only treatment you need.
- Surgery to remove lymph nodes – In such cases, the surgeon will remove some lymph nodes. Thereafter, doctors send them to the laboratory to check for cancer cells. Commonly, this surgery is used to treat nonseminoma testicular cancer type.
People who experience surgery are at higher risk of bleeding and infection. Sometimes, surgeons may remove lymph nodes along with nearby nerves. As a result, you may face ejaculating problems but overall you will not have erectile problems.
Chemotherapy
This treatment option involves strong medications that help to destroy cancer cells. It is effective even if the cancer spreads throughout the body. Usually, healthcare providers prescribe these medicines after surgery to kill the rest of the cancer cells that remain in the body. The most common chemotherapy adverse reactions include hearing loss, elevated risk of infection, and fatigue (extreme tiredness).
Radiation Therapy
This treatment is sometimes used to treat seminoma testicular cancer type. It involves high-powered energy beams that help to destroy cancer cells. Common side effects include fatigue, nausea, lower sperm counts, and infertility.
Immunotherapy
This treatment method involves medications that help to boost the body’s defense (immune system) to find and destroy cancer cells. Sometimes, cancer cells cannot be identified by the immune system because they produce certain substances that hide them. In most cases, immunotherapy is used in advanced testicular cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are testicular cancer complications?
In case you are not treating this condition, you may experience some complications. For example, infertility, reduced Testosterone levels, and a decrease in sperm.
What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?
- HIV/AIDS
- Hypospadias (abnormalities of the urethra or penis)
- Previous testicular cancer
- Family history
- Cryptorchidism (undescended testicles)
- Abnormal cells in the testicle
Is it possible to cure testicular cancer?
Yes, most people with this cancer type have cured it. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
