Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is one cancer that carries the highest cure rate. That is not to say that having testicular cancer isn’t something take seriously or that  early signs need to be ignored. But men diagnosed with testicular cancer stand a very good chance of complete recovery if caught early enough. Testicular cancer tends to strike Caucasian men more than African- American men.

In the United States, testicular cancer occurs in males from the ages of 15-40.
In Scandinavian countries, the normal age of exposure is 20-39 years old. Testicular cancer is on the rise in the United States as well as in parts of the world.

Testicular cancer symptoms

The warning signs may be subtle at first and often might be overlooked as some sort of groin injury:

• swelling of the testicles
• Just a general aching feeling
• The scrotum may suddenly appear thicker
• A sudden accumulation of fluid in the scrotum
• Mild aches in the back, lower abdomen and groin
• Breasts suddenly becoming painful and enlarged

Any of these symptoms that appear should be checked out immediately by your doctor.

Men who play a lot of sports, or who are active, might dismiss these signs as a sports injury and decide not to pursue the matter.

If the man has cryptorchidism (undescended testicle) this will increase the risk of developing testicular cancer. Also men who have had mumps orchitis or an inguinal hernia will run the risk of developing testicular cancer.

A competent physician will do a full work-up and evaluation and refer the man to an urologist for further testing. The urologist will then perform a series of tests, including an ultrasound, blood work and then once the results are in, schedule a biopsy for further confirmation.

When the biopsy is being performed the surgeon will clamp off the spermatic cord vessel- this is a long cord-like structure that runs from the abdominal cavity through the inguinal canal and into the scrotom. This shutting off of the cord will prevent the cancer (if it is cancer) from spreading. It does not impede the sexual prowess of the male.

If the ultrasound shows a cyst, the cyst will be drained. Not all cysts are cancerous many are benign.

Once you have been diagnosed, what are your options?

Your first priority is to understand that even though testicular cancer is a successfully treated disease in most men, not allowing a doctor to render treatment when you have testicular cancer means you will die. You must get it treated.

Some men fear that treatment will render them impotent. It is important that you talk frankly with your doctor about the various treatments available and what the side effects will be.

Testicular cancer treatments

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Drug therapy
• Surgery

There is a monthly self-exam that you can do to detect testicular cancer. The test is further explained on this website or ask your doctor for details.