Testicular Cancer [Cancer of the testicle]

Definition

Testicular cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in one or both testicles. The testicles are a pair of male sex glands that produce and store sperm and produce male hormones. They are located under the penis in a sac-like pouch called the scrotum.
Cancer occurs when cells in the body (in this case testicular cells) divide without control or order. Normally, cells divide in a regulated manner. If cells keep dividing uncontrollably when new cells are not needed, a mass of tissue forms, called a growth or tumor. The term cancer refers to malignant tumors, which can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor does not invade or spread.


Causes

The causes of testicular cancer are not known. However, research shows that certain risk factors are associated with the disease.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

• Undescended testicle that did not move down into the scrotum before birth
• Personal or family history of testicular cancer
• Race: White
• Age: Between 25 and 35
• Abnormal testicular development, such as that seen in Klinefelter's syndrome (a sex chromosome disorder involving low levels of male hormones, sterility, breast enlargement, and small testes)

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• A painless lump or swelling in either testicle
• Enlargement or swelling of a testicle or change in the way it feels
• Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
• A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
• Fluid in the scrotum that appears suddenly
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
• Lower back pain (in later stages of the cancer)
• Enlarged breasts

Note: These symptoms may also be caused by other, less serious health conditions. A man experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include:

Blood Tests – to measure the levels of tumor markers in the blood. Tumor markers are substances that appear at higher levels in the blood if cancer is present in the body.
Ultrasonography – a test that uses sound waves to find tumors
Excisional Biopsy– removal of an entire testicle and microscopic examination for cancer cells. Most cells with suspicious lesions on ultrasound are entirely removed.

Treatment:

Once testicular cancer is found, tests are performed to find out if the cancer has spread and, if so, to what extent.

Treatments include:

Surgery – surgical removal of the cancerous testicle through an incision in the groin. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed and examined for evidence of metastasis.
Radiation Therapy (Radiotherapy) – the use of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy for testicular cancer comes from a machine outside the body that directs radiation at the abdomen.
Chemotherapy – the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be given in many forms including: pill, injection, and via a catheter. The drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body killing mostly cancer cells, but also some healthy cells.

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing testicular cancer. However, having your testicles examined by your doctor during regular physical exams can detect cancer in its early stages when it may be more treatable. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any lumps, hardness or changes in your testicles. Men with any risk factors for testicular cancer should learn how to perform monthly testicular self-exams.