What Are the Five Warning Signs of Testicular Cancer?

What Are the Five Warning Signs of Testicular Cancer?

Medical Author: Rohini Radhakrishnan, ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon Medical Editor: Dr. Pallavi Suyog Uttekar, MD

This article is a repost which originally appeared on MedicineNet

Edited for content

What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer warning signs include a testicular lump, back pain, swelling, and infection.

Testicular cancer arises from the testes (a part of the male reproductive system). The testicles are responsible for the production of male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction. They are located within the scrotum, a loose bag of skin below the penis. Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer occurring in males in the US between the ages of 15 and 35.

Testicular cancer can be aggressive and grow and spread rapidly. However, this cancer is highly treatable even after it spreads. Hence, the prognosis for men with testicular cancer is good. Studies have shown that the risk of dying from testicular cancer is about 1 in 5,000.

How is testicular cancer treated?

The treatment may involve one or a combination of multiple treatment modalities, which depends on the extent of the disease.

The treatment options include

  • Surgery
    • Orchiectomy: Removal of the testicle. A prosthetic can be placed in the sac.
    • Testes-sparing surgery: The tumor is carefully removed and the healthy part of the testis is left behind. This is ideal for patients with small tumors or benign/noncancerous tumors.
    • Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: Surgical removal of the lymph nodes to which cancer commonly spreads.
  • Radiation therapy: This targets and kills cancer cells and shrinks tumors using radiation.
  • Chemotherapy: The tumor cells are killed with cancer medication.
  • Targeted therapy: This treatment uses medications that target tumor-specific proteins that the cancer cells display. This is the most specific therapy for cancer and known for minimal side effects.
  • Stem cell therapy may be a treatment option in some cases. However, stem cell therapy is still in the experimental stages in most countries.

What causes testicular cancer?

The exact cause of testicular cancer is unknown. Some factors increase the risk of testicular cancer, including

  • Undescended testes (cryptorchidism) are a risk factor for the development of testicular cancer. Surgical correction of undescended testes before puberty reduces the risk of testicular cancer.
  • Age: Testicular cancer usually occurs in males between the agesof 20 to 35.
  • Race: Testicular cancer is more common in Caucasian men than in those of other races.
  • Genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome cause abnormal development of the testes.
  • Family history of cancer.
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

What are the warning signs of testicular cancer?

The initial signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include

  • A painless lump in the testicle.
  • Dull aching in the scrotum or the groin.
  • Varicocele (swollen blood vessels) appearing as enlarged, dark blue veins.
  • Hydrocele (fluid around the testicle) causing swelling.
  • Twisting of the testicle (torsion) may be the presenting symptom. On further investigation, the mass may be discovered.
  • The affected testicle feels firmer and harder than the other.
  • Formation of blood clots in blood vessels which can reach the lungs causing chest pain and breathlessness.
  • Back pain.
  • Infection of the testicle can occur causing pain.

What are the types of testicular cancer?

Most testicular cancers are germ cell (cells that produce sperm) tumors. There are two main types of testicular cancer, seminomas and nonseminomas.

  • Seminomas grow and spread slowly. There are two subtypes
    • Classical seminoma: This is the most common type and it usually occurs in men between the ages of 25 to 45.
    • Spermatocytic seminoma: This commonly occurs in older men and it usually does not spread.
  • Nonseminomas grow and spread more quickly. They usually consist of multiple types of cancer cells, including
  • Embryonal carcinoma: This cancer contains cells that look like embryonic cells under a microscope.
  • Yolk sac carcinoma: This cancer contains cells that look like the sac that surrounds an embryo. This cancer usually occurs in children.
  • Choriocarcinoma: This cancer is usually rare and spreads to the rest of the body quickly.
  • Teratoma: This is a rare tumor that contains other tissues and organs, including teeth and hair.

How is testicular cancer diagnosed?

  • Self-examination can help in early diagnosis and treatment. The affected testis is enlarged, firm and usually painless.
  • The physician orders testicular sonography and Doppler ultrasound to reveal the tumor. The physician performs a complete physical assessment.
  • A testicular biopsy confirms the diagnosis. It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves obtaining a small sample of the testicle.
  • Testicular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may reveal the extent of the tumor.
  • Lymphangiography may be performed to assess the local spread of the tumor to the lymph nodes of the groin.

UK man who survived testicular cancer becomes father: Here’s how to do testicle self-exam

UK man who survived testicular cancer becomes father: Here’s how to do testicle self-exam

Unlike other cancers, testicular cancer is much more common in younger men. Doctors recommend regular testicle self-examination to identify testicular cancer at its earliest stage. Watch out for these warning signs and symptoms.

By: Longjam Dineshwori

This article is a repost which originally appeared on THE Health Site

In what could be called a miracle, a UK man who lost his right testicle to cancer recently became a father. Joseph Kelley Hook was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2017, when he was 29. Joseph knew something was very wrong when started feeling agonising pain in his groin and his right testicle had tripled in size. After a long fight, he finally defeated the cancer and was declared all clear in January 2018. But he never thought he would be able to have kids as he had his right testicle removed, plus chemo is known to reduce fertility. [The testicles produce male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction].

But in March this year, Joseph became a father when his partner Rachel gave birth to their son Jacob. He had frozen his sperm in case the couple ever needed it for IVF. But amazingly, he and Rachel were able to conceive naturally and didn’t need IVF.

Doctors in the UK say that testicular cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in young men in the country. Joseph felt lucky that his cancer was caught early because of which could beat the deadly disease. He suggests all men to check their testicles and go to a doctor if they see or feel any changes.

Testicular cancer: Causes and risk factors

Compared with other types of cancer, testicular cancer is rare. But unlike other cancers, it is much more common in younger men, particularly those between ages 15 and 35. Men in their 30s are said to be at highest risk.  Usually, testicular cancer affects only one testicle.

Doctors are not clear about what causes testicular cancer in most cases. But they know that it occurs when healthy cells in a testicle become altered. Sometimes some cells may develop abnormalities and grow out of control. These accumulating cancer cells may form a mass in the testicle. Testicular cancers mostly begin in the germ cells — the cells in the testicles that produce immature sperm. But what causes these cells to become abnormal and develop into cancer is unclear.

Factors that may increase your risk of testicular cancer include: An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism), abnormal testicle development, family history, age, and race. Testicular cancer is found to be more common in white men than in black men. Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent this cancer from occurring.

Know the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer

In almost all diseases, early detection can lead to better treatment results and higher survival rate. Luckily, testicular cancer is highly treatable. The treatment will, however, depend on the type and stage of testicular cancer. Doctors also recommend regular testicle self-examination to identify testicular cancer at its earliest stage. So, watch out for these warning symptoms of testicular cancer to get it treated early.

  • A lump or enlargement in either testicle
  • Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
  • Dull ache in the abdomen or groin
  • A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
  • Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum
  • Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts
  • Back pain

If any pain, swelling or lumps in your testicles or groin last longer than two weeks, you need to see a doctor.