Testicular cancer symptoms

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer in which the cells in testicles become malignant that is they become cancerous in one of the testicle or in both testicles. As we know the testis or testicles are the organs responsible for reproduction in men. The testicles are located in scrotum which is under the penis in the form of sac like pouch.

Based on the characteristics of the cancer, testicular cancers are classified as nonseminomas or Seminomas. Seminomas may be classified in three types: classic, anaplastic, and spermatocytic. Classification of nonseminomas includes choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratoma, and finally yolk sac tumors. Testicular cancer tumors may contain both seminoma and nonseminoma cells.

This testicular cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men whose age limit ranges from 15 and 34.

The actual cause for testicular cancer is not know till the day. But researches and studies are conducted and some factors have been found from studies which in turn may increase a man's chance of developing testicular cancer.

Congenital abnormality: Men who are born with abnormality of testicles, kidneys, penis and with inguinal hernia may have the chance to get testicular cancer.

Undescended testicle: Actually, the testicles in man descend from the inner side of the abdomen into the scrotum before they are born. The person with abnormality in which the testicles that does not move down to the scrotum have an increased chance of getting testicular cancer

Testicular cancer History:  Men who had testicular cancer in one testicle are at risk of again developing cancer in the other testicle which was not affected.

History of testicular cancer in family: If A person's Brother, Father or fathers brother  has testicular cancer then he may also have the risk for testicular cancer.

Most of the testicular cancer in men is found by men themselves. During the routine physical examination also the doctors examine the testicles. Than the physical examination if a man detects or feels an unusual thing of discomfort or anything in his testicles he should convey this with the doctor.

The following are some of the symptoms of testicular cancer:

• A lump or swelling in the testicles which is painless

• Discomfort or pain in testicles or in scrotum

• Any change in the testicles or any enlargement in penis.

• A feeling which makes us to fell that the scrotum is heavy

• A dull pain in testicles, back, groin, and in the lower abdomen

• Collection of fluid in the scrotum which happens suddenly

The above symptoms which are stated can be a symptom of cancer or other symptom. Instead of going into depression its better to consult a doctor so that he may conclude whether it’s a cancer or some other symptom by diagnostics.

To evaluate or to find the cause of the symptoms, a general health evaluation is done by the doctor. The doctor may also do physical examinations and even a laboratory and diagnostic test may be ordered which may include:

Blood test: Blood test measures the tumor makers levels in the body. The substances that are present in higher levels in the blood when cancer is found are called tumor makers. Tumor makers may be (AFP) alpha-fetoprotein, (HCG) Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, and (LDH) lactate dehydrogenase if they are present in blood then their presence may suggest the presence of testicular cancer even the cancer is too small.

Ultrasound: Ultrasound is a type of test in which frequencies which are high is passed in the internal tissue and organs of a patient. A picture called sonogram is produced by their echoes. Ultrasound of the scrotum or testicle may show the size and presence of a cancer or a mass in the scrotum.

Biopsy: Biopsy means pathological examination of testicular tissue so that we can determine whether cancer is there or not.

If testicular cancer is found then lot more test is needed for the doctor to find out whether the cancer is spread to the other parts of the body. So that the doctor can determine which treatment is needed for the patient.

In the recent years the incidence of testicular cancer has risen, its a happy news that more than 95% of the cases of cancer can be cured. If testicular cancer is found out early treatment may be more successful. Moreover early diagnosis may be less aggressive and may cause less side effects.

Most of the patients with testicular cancer can be easily cured by radiation, surgery or chemotherapy. The side effects may depend upon the type of treatment received. 

SURGERY: Surgery is performed by an incision in the groin which is called as radical inguinal orchiectomy. Many men may fell that losing one testicle will not cause erection and they wont be able to have sexual intercourse or will make them childless. But its wrong; a man with one testicle can have a normal erection and can produce sperm. So removing one testicle through surgery won't make a man impotent. For cosmetic purpose a man can place an artificial testicle in his scrotum at their orchiectomy or later at any time.

Radiation therapy: In radiation therapy high energy rays are used to kill cancer cells and to make the tumor shrink. Radiation therapy not only affects the cancerous cell, but also affects the normal cells. The side effect of radiation therapy depends on the number of times the radiation is given, and the amount of rays passed. The usual side effects of radiation therapy are skin change at the place where the rays is passed, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. It also interferes with the production of sperm.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy means using of anticancer medicines or drugs to kill the cancerous cells in the body. When chemotherapy is given to testicular cancer patients it’s given after the surgery so that it can destroy cancer cells which may even remain after the surgery in the body.

The common side effects of chemotherapy are hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, fever, coughing, shortness of breath, skin rash and sores in mouth. Other side effects are numbness, dizziness, difficulty in hearing, and loss of reflexes.