Testicular Cancer Symptoms
Testicular cancer is a rare form of cancer affecting males. It is the most common form of cancer in males between the ages of 15 and 35 years of age. In an average year, between 7, 500 and 8, 000 men will be diagnosed with it. Fortunately, it is highly treatable and patients whose cancer is detected early have an excellent prognosis. The survival rate for testicular cancer is better than 95%.
The effectiveness of treatment for early stage testicular cancer makes early detection highly advantageous. Knowing whether you have any known risk factors, and recognizing possible signs and symptoms of testicular cancer significantly will significantly improve your chances of surviving.
Testicular Cancer: Causes and Risk Factors
There is no single causative factor for testicular cancer. While rumors of a link between vasectomy and cancer have circulated, they have been disproven. Connections with chemical exposure or HIV infection are suspected, although more research is needed for confirmation. Despite not knowing an exact cause, several risk factors for testicular cancer have been identified:
- Family History of Testicular Cancer
- Malformation of Testicles
- Failure of Testicles to Descend
- Klinefelter Syndrome
Although the disease can occur to men of any ethnicity or age, testicular cancer is far more common among Caucasian men over the age of thirty than in any other age group. It is important to note that an increased likelihood of developing testicular cancer exists for men who experienced abnormal development of the testes, or failure of the testes to descend regardless of whether they have since has corrective surgery. If any of these risk factors are present, checking regularly for possible testicular cancer symptoms can be a life saving measure.
Testicular Cancer Symptoms
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer can occur without the presentation of any signs or noticeable symptoms. However, in addition to performing a testicular cancer self-exam each month, those who know they are at risk should consult a physician immediately if they detect any of the following testicular cancer symptoms:
- Pain in the testicles
- A sensation of heaviness in the scrotum
- Any enlargement of the testicle or change in the way it feels
- Pain in the lower back or abdomen
- Gynecomastia: the development of breast tissue in males
- Swelling or lumps in the testicle
Given the fact that testicular cancer has such a favorable survival rate, it is most unfortunate that nearly 50% of men do not seek treatment until it has spread. When testicular cancer is not detected early enough, it can move, or metastasize, to different parts of the body. In such cases, there may be additional symptoms related to other commonly affected areas such as the lungs, liver, pelvis or brain.
Usually, it is the patient who first detects symptoms of testicular cancer. For this reason, it is recommended that men perform a monthly self-exam called a TSE (testicular self-examination). Performing this test monthly allows men to become familiar with the healthy structures of their testicles so that they can more easily detect significant changes. Should any of the above testicular cancer symptoms be felt, a visit to the doctor should be arranged. However, it is important to note that the presence of one or more of these symptoms can be due to other conditions, and do not always indicate the presence of cancer.
Detection And Treatment
After bringing your doctor’s attention to you testicular cancer symptoms, she may determine that you need more comprehensive testing. After a physical exam intended to detect a possible mass, you may have a CT scan, ultrasound, x-ray, or blood test to detect tumor markers. After that, treatment will depend on the type and stage of your tumor. The most common forms of treatment are surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
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