What is testicular cancer?

This is cancer that affects the testicles. It is a rare form of cancer and usually affects
younger men below the age of 50. Testicles are two oval-shaped male sex organs. They sit
in the scrotum on either side of the penis. The testicles are part of the male reproductive
system and are enclosed in the scrotum- the sac of skin which hangs under the penis.
Testicles produce sperms and testosterone which is a major hormone in male sexual
development.

What are the symptoms?

A painless lump or swelling in the testicles.

A sharp pain or a dull ache in the scrotum or the lower abdomen.

Breast enlargement from hormonal effects.

Back pain.

Shortness of breath, cough or coughing up blood from metastatic spread to the lungs.

A lump in the neck due to metastases to the lymph nodes.

A dull ache in the scrotum.

Types of testicular cancer

The different types of testicular cancer are classified by the type of cells cancer first begins
in. These include:

Germ-cell testicular cancer

Leydig cell tumors

Sertoli cell tumors

Lymphoma

Germ-cell testicular cancer is the most common type of testicular cancer. The body uses
germ cells to help create sperm. There are two main subtypes of germ cell testicular cancer;
non-seminomas and seminomas.

Risk factors for testicular cancer

The cause or causes of testicular cancer are unknown, but several things have been pointed
out, which increase the chance of developing the condition. These include:

Having a family history of testicular cancer

Having had abnormal testicle development

Being born with undescended testicles

Diagnosis

Your doctor will perform a physical exam to look for the signs of cancer of the testicles.
Laboratory tests and imaging tests are used to confirm the diagnosis. Biopsy should not be
done because it increases the risk of spreading cancer to the scrotum. Accurate diagnosis is
crucial to ensure that treatment is effective and appropriate.

Treatment

Most cases of cancer of the testicles can be treated if diagnosed early. Treatments include
surgery, whereby the affected testicle is removed. The procedure done to remove the
affected testicle is known as an orchiectomy. Although it is possible to remove tumors from
a testis while leaving it functional, it is rarely done because the precancerous cells can
spread through the entire testicle. Other treatments used for cancer of the testicles are
chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Conclusion

If the treatment option chosen has infertility as a side effect, you can bank your sperm at a
sperm bank for later on when you want to have children. Surgical removal of the affected
testicle does not cause infertility or the ability to have sex. After treatment, it is crucial to
have regular exams to ensure the cancer is all gone.

The End

References

Testicular cancer on NHS choices

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer-of-the-testicle

Testicular cancer on MedlinePlus

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/testicularcancer.html

Testicular cancer on Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testicular_cancer