Testicular cancer occurs when malignant (cancerous) cells develop in the tissues of one or both testicles. The testicles are two walnut-shaped sex glands that produce sperm and testosterone. They are housed in the scrotum, a skin sac located beneath the penis. Testicular cancer, like all other cancers, is a dangerous ailment. Fortunately, it is treatable and curable.
Approximately 90% of all cancers are caused by germ cells in the testicles clumping together to create a mass or tumor. Germ cells eventually turn into sperm. Germ cells are responsible for two forms of testicular cancers :
- Seminoma: A slow-growing cancer that typically affects people in their forties or fifties.
- Non-seminoma: Cancer that grows faster than seminomas. It primarily affects people in their late teens, twenties, and early thirties. There are four forms of non-seminoma tumours, each named for the type of germ cell that forms the tumor. These cancers include embryonic carcinoma, yolk sac carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, and teratoma.
At ILS Hospitals, treatment is tailored to each patient, utilizing a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and monitoring. Our expert oncologists and urologists utilise advanced diagnostic tools, including ultrasound, blood tests, and CT scans, to accurately diagnose and stage the cancer. Based on the cancer type and stage, we create personalized treatment plans focused on improving survival rates and preserving fertility when possible. We provide comprehensive care, ensuring optimal results and quality of life throughout the treatment process.
Symptoms
The most common sign of testicular cancer is a painless lump in the testicle. Additional symptoms include:
- Swelling or rapid fluid accumulation in the scrotum
- A lump or swelling in either testicle
- A heavy feeling in the scrotum
- Dull pain in the groin or lower abdomen
- Pain or discomfort in the scrotum or testicles
- A shrinking testicle
Causes
Testicular cancer develops when cells multiply at an excessively fast rate, forming a mass or tumor.
Diagnosis
Our experts conduct a physical exam to identify testicular cancer after inspecting a lump or another abnormality in the testicle. Common methods and tests used to diagnose testicular cancer are:
- A physical exam and history: Our team will ask about the symptoms and look for indicators of testicular cancer. They may feel lumps in the testicles and examine lymph nodes for evidence of cancer spread.
- Ultrasound: If a problem is detected during the checkup, we will recommend an ultrasound. An ultrasound is a painless medical procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to create images of tissue inside your body.
- Inguinal orchiectomy and biopsy: If the ultrasound shows evidence of cancer, our specialist will examine tissue from the testicle using a microscope to check for cancer cells.
Other tests may include serum tumor marker tests and CT scans, X-rays and MRIs.
Prevention
Although testicular cancer cannot be prevented, one can undertake testicular self-exams (TSE) to detect abnormalities in one’s testicles that should be reported to the doctor. You should be aware of any lumps, nodules, hardness, or a testicle that has grown larger or smaller. Many doctors recommend a testicular self-exam once a month. TSEs can be completed in as little as two minutes. To conduct a self-exam, follow these instructions.
- Take the exam after a warm shower or bath
- Examine each testicle with both hands
- Familiarize yourself with what’s normal
- Feel for any lumps
