Testicular cancer can be referred to as a rare form of cancer which happens only in the testes or testicles of a man. The testicles are responsible for the production of testosterone and the storage of sperm.
Testosterone is responsible for enhancing the reproductive system and various physical characteristics in men. Research has shown that most men are liable to develop cancer in their testicles in their lifetime.
Studies have shown that men within the ages of thirty-three and young men are more liable to develop testicular cancer than older men.
Early signs
Certain indicators that you might have testicular cancer testicular cancer are most present during an early time, but at times it does not show until later in life. A man can notice symptoms and changes in his body, or the doctor may detect it during a physical exam.
A well-known early sign of testicular cancer is a swollen testicles or a painless lump. Changes might occur in your testicles as a result of a variety of conditions or issues. A bump does not indicate that you have cancer, but you must visit your doctor if you notice it.
You might also experience:
- Sharp and chronic pain in your scrotum or testicles
- A heavy pull or weight in your scrotum
- A noticeable difference in the size of your testicles
In various instances, there might be some noticeable hormonal changes that can cause a male’s breast to enlarge and lumpy.
Other symptoms
During the late periods of testicular cancer, as cancer begins to affect other organs, an individual might experience:
- Having issues with breathing, this occurs if cancer affects your lungs.
- Having pains in your abdominal, if cancer spreads to your liver.
- Having regular headaches and memory loss, if cancer spreads to the brain.
Causes of testicular cancer
Most testicular cancer begins in your germ cells; these cells are responsible for producing immature sperm in your testicles.
Doctors have not figured out why the cells of your testicles become cancerous, however there are known factors might increase your risk of developing testicular cancer.
It is highly likely for cancer of the testicles to develop in men with the various risk factors:
- Cryptorchidism, a condition which occurs when the testicles are undescended
- Family history or a family member with cancer of the testicles
- Being of a white race and not Asian or black.
Vasectomy is a condition which does not aid in your development of testicular cancer. Having HIV, however, might increase your chances of developing testicular cancer.
It is usually impossible to stop testicular cancer because most researchers do not know the cause of the condition, and this is as a result of genetic factors play a significant role in its development.
Treatment
Engaging in treatments for the cancer of your testicles is easy, simple, and safe to treat most, especially at the early stage.Most men who have been diagnosed with testicular cancer would live for at least five years after diagnosis.
Treatment for cancer of the testicles usually involves the combination of:
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Stem cell
- Surveillance
These would be explained in details in the following sections:
Surgery
Your surgeon undergoes this treatment by removing your testicles to stop cancer from spreading and affecting other organs in the body. The individual would receive anesthetic. Your surgeon then makes an incision in your genital area to remove the testicles through incision.
Taking off both the testicles of a man would mean that he might be unable to produce testosterone or conceive naturally again. However, if only one testicle is removed, men still have the chance to produce testosterone and conceive naturally.
There are other available fertility options for men whose testicles are removed through surgery. For instance, the doctor might preserve some of your sperm for future use, only if needed.
Various side effects for the removal of your testicles might include:
- A loss of libido
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Hot flashes
- Loss of bone density
- Difficulty in achieving and maintaining an erection
Your doctor or therapist might suggest that you take testosterone supplements, which can be in the form of gels, patches, or even an injection.
You can restore the appearance of your testicles through the use of a prosthesis. A surgeon carries out this process by implanting it in the scrotum.
It majorly contains water and salt. Men who undergo surgeries in the early stages may not require further treatments or medications.
Lymph node surgery
If cancer has affected or spread to the lymph nodes, usually those located around the blood vessels found at the back of the abdomen, you require a surgeon to remove these. A surgeon can either carry out a laparoscopic surgery or an open surgery to remove the lymph nodes.
This treatment does not affect your fertility level, but it might hurt your nerves, which can result in premature ejaculation. This does not imply that the sperm a man produces does not go through the urethra but goes into the bladder instead.
This is not a dangerous condition on its own, but a low sperm count can result in sterility or infertility.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is used in the treatment of cancer, but it causes damages to the DNA found in the tumor cells and restricts their ability to reproduce. Through this, cancer is removed and restricted from reoccurring or coming back.
A person who has had surgery might need to undergo radiation therapy to remove the remaining little cancer cells. If cancer has affected your lymph node, your doctor might recommend radiation therapy.
The following side effects might occur when you undergo radiation therapy:
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Rashes and skin irritation
- Joint and muscles stiffness
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
These symptoms tend to fade away once the treatment or medication is over.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment used to destroy cancer cells and stop them from multiplying or spreading to other organs.Chemotherapy is highly recommended if testicular cancer has affected other parts of the body.
A doctor might administer the treatment either orally or as an injection. Chemotherapy directly affects the healthy cells of the body as well as the cancerous ones.
The side effects of chemotherapy include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of facial and body hair
- Mouth sores
- Tiredness and a feeling of being unwell
These symptoms usually subside once the treatment is over.
Stem cell treatment
In some men who have testicular cancer, stem cell therapy might reduce the symptoms of testicular cancer. Stem cell therapy enables an individual to receive high doses of chemotherapy and then transports stem cells into the vein like a transfusion.
These cells are then situated in the bone marrow and start producing new and fresh red blood cells. This aids in developing an individual’s body to recover from high doses of chemotherapy.
The effects of stem cell therapy include:
- As a result of the high doses of chemotherapy, it is hazardous and causes life-threatening effects.
- It involves extended stays and visits to the hospital.
- It is usually expensive, and your medical insurance is not liable to cover it.
Surveillance
Your doctor usually carries surveillance on an individual who had former treatment for cancer of the testicles, in case it regenerates or comes back. Supervision doesn’t involve an active medication or therapy but requires regular and frequent appointments.
Diagnosis
To be able to diagnose the cancer of the testicles accurately, a doctor might recommend:
Series of blood tests can be taken to check your levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin, alpha-fetoprotein, and lactate dehydrogenase.
The former mentioned substances might signal that you have a tumor.
Ultrasound
It is carried out to detect the presence of any available tumor.
Biopsy
During this test, your doctor collects a sample of tissue from your testicles for an investigation with the aid of a microscope—the biopsy aids in detecting whether testicular cancer is present.
Various types of testicular cancer
When you are diagnosed with testicular cancer, your doctor or therapist would like to know the exact type of testicular cancer you have.
The major type of testicular cancer include:
Seminoma
This testicular cancer develops slowly and has seminoma cells. The subtypes of the seminoma testicular cancer are classic and spermatocytic.
Nonseminoma
This testicular cancer involves varieties of cancer cells. There are various subtypes of the nonseminoma testicular cancer, and they include embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac carcinoma, chiocarcinoma, and teratoma.
Other types of tumors are not cancerous, and they include stromal tumors, Sertoli cell tumors, and Leydig cell tumors.
The stage of the cancer
The particular stage in which cancer occurs affects the treatment option. The stages of testicular cancer include localized, regional, and distant.
Conclusion
Testicular cancer is the type of cancer that primarily affects your testes or testicles. It is common in young and middle-aged men. There are various causes of testicular cancer like genetics or even an undescended testicle.
Symptoms of testicular cancer might include sharp pain in the testicles and a noticeable difference in the sizes of your testicles.
There are various treatments for cancer of the testicles like surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell treatment, and surveillance. All these treatments are completely safe, easy and effective.
