Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer for men ages 15 to 35 in the United States. This type of cancer occurs in the testicles, which are located inside of the scrotum underneath the penis. The testicles are responsible for producing male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction.
Testicular Cancer Symptoms
There are several signs and symptoms that could indicate the development of testicular cancer. These include:
- A lump in one of the testicles
- A dull ache in the groin or abdomen
- Tenderness or enlargement of the breasts
- Back pain
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum
- A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
If any of these signs or symptoms last more than two weeks, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Testicular Cancer Causes
The exact cause of testicular cancer is not yet known. Doctors know that testicular cancer usually begins in the germ cells of the testicles, but what causes these cells to become abnormal and cancerous is not understood.
However, there are certain things that are associated with an increased risk of testicular cancer. These include:
- Age: Although it can occur at any age, testicular cancer is more prevalent among teens and younger men between the ages of 15 and 35.
- Race: Testicular cancer is more common in white men than other races.
- Family history: If you have family members who have had testicular cancer in the past, you will be at an increased risk for developing it yourself.
- Abnormal testicle development: There are certain conditions, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome that can cause your testicles to develop abnormally and increase your risk of testicular cancer.
- Cryptorchidism: This is a condition that causes one of your testicles to never descend from the abdominal area and increases your risk of developing testicular cancer, even if the testicle is surgically relocated to the scrotum.
Testicular Cancer Treatments
Once you are diagnosed with testicular cancer, your treatment plan will depend on the type and stage of the cancer, your overall health, as well as your own personal preferences. Your treatment options will include:
- Surgery: There are multiple operations that are used to treat testicular cancer. The primary treatment for nearly all types and stages of testicular cancer is a radical inguinal orchiestomy, which is surgery to remove your testicle. If the cancer has spread, you might also need surgery to remove nearby lymph nodes.
- Radiation: Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells in a localized area. For some types of testicular cancer, radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery to kill any remaining cancerous cells.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a treatment option that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. It is usually administered intravenously and travels throughout your body to kill cancer cells that might have migrated from the original tumor. Sometimes chemotherapy is recommended before or after a lymph node removal surgery.
