What is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is the kind of cancer which originates in the testicles. Testicles or testes are located in a loose bag of skin underneath the penis. These testes are responsible for the creation of male sex hormone and sperm. Comparatively, testicular cancer is a rare kind. However, testicular cancer is effectively treatable even if the cancer has spread past the testes.
What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
Few of the symptoms may include:
- Lump or swelling: A small lump or a kind of swelling could be noticed near the testicles even though they might be painless. Initial stages of the tumor could cause a lump in the size of a marble.
- Pain and discomfort in the testes.
- Heaviness in the scrotum.
- One testicle might be harder or larger than the other.
- Pain in lower abdomen .
- Build up of liquid in the scrotum.
- Tenderness in the breast area or also can cause growth of breast tissue for men.
- Swelling of legs .
- Shortness of breath
What are the types of testicular cancer?
The major type of testicular cancer is germ cell which begins in the sperm generating cells. They are majorly classified into 2 types:
- Seminomas: They grow and spread slowly, this is further divided into:
- Classical Seminoma: Most frequent kind occurring in men between ages of 25-40.
- Spermatocytic seminoma: Found in older men.
- Nonseminomas: They grow and spread in a quicker manner. These are made up of various cell types:
- Embryonal carcinoma.
- Yolk sac carcinoma.
- Choriocarcinoma.
- Teratoma.
How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
Regular self check of the testicles is an important way to notice any change in the touch and feel of the testes. However when in doubt a serious of diagnostics could be run to identify the presence of cancer, such as:
- Blood tests.
- Serum marker test.
- Urine test.
- Testicular Ultrasound.
What is the treatment for testicular cancer?
Specialist would evaluate and sketch out a treatment plan based on the stage of the cancer:
- Surgery.
- Radiotherapy.
- Chemotherapy.
- Systemic Therapy.
What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?
Few factors which can increase your danger for testicular cancer are:
- Family history of the disease exists.
- Irregular testicular formation.
- Undescended testicle also called as cryptorchidism .
What are the stages of testicular cancer?
Based on the spread of cancer, the stages are:
- Stage 0: A warning sign and presence of pre cancerous cells.
- Stage 1: Cancer is limited to the testicles.
- Stage 2: Cancer has invaded the lymph nodes of lower abdomen.
- Stage 3: Cancer has spread to distant areas.