Cancer of the testicles affects the testes. These are the organs that produce the male sex hormones. It is a more rare form of cancer when compared to other types and mostly affects males aged between 15 and 35 years of age. Fortunately, it is a highly treatable condition even in instances when it has spread to other parts of the body. One or several treatments may be enough depending on the type of testicular cancer and the stage. The growth can be identified in a timely manner through medical examination.
There are various symptoms of the disease. One of the most conspicuous is the presence of a lump or enlargement in one of the testicles. One may also feel heaviness in the scrotum. There are also people who experience a dull ache around the abdomen or some pain in the testicles. Other symptoms include a dull ache in the abdomen or groin, tenderness of breasts and back pain. Normally, only one testicle will be affected.
The cause of this condition is still not very clear. It is brought about by the alteration of healthy testicle cells. These cells will undergo abnormal growth. This makes them to keep dividing even if there is no need for new cells. The accumulation of cells will bring about formation of a mass within the testicle. Almost all testicular cancers start from the germ cells. Germs cells are those that produce immature cells.
There are some factors that increase the risk of contracting the condition. One of them is when a testicle fails to descend. Testes usually form in the abdominal area during development of the fetus and descend into the scrotum prior to birth. Men whose testicle did not descend are at greater risk of this form of cancer than those who had theirs descend normally. The risk remains high even if the testis is surgically relocated.
The condition runs in the family. Therefore, an individual whose family members have suffered from the condition will be at greater risk. The other factor is age, with men between 15 and 35 more at risk. This does not however mean that people of other ages are not affected. Black men are not as likely to be affected as white men. Any condition causing abnormal testicle growth increases the chances of growth.
In some cases, men will discover the condition on their own. This can happen intentionally when they look out for the symptoms or during self examination. In others cases, a doctor may notice the growth during regular checkup. Tests must be carried out to determine whether the lump is cancerous or not. One way to do this is through the use of ultrasound that involves taking images of the testicle.
A blood test may be used to know the level of the tumor marker. The level of the markers in blood increases when one has contracted cancer of the testicles. The testicle that is affected could also be surgically removed to find out of it is cancerous.
The treatment options depend on various factors. These include the type of cancer, the stage it is in, overall health of the patient and their preference. Treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
There are various symptoms of the disease. One of the most conspicuous is the presence of a lump or enlargement in one of the testicles. One may also feel heaviness in the scrotum. There are also people who experience a dull ache around the abdomen or some pain in the testicles. Other symptoms include a dull ache in the abdomen or groin, tenderness of breasts and back pain. Normally, only one testicle will be affected.
The cause of this condition is still not very clear. It is brought about by the alteration of healthy testicle cells. These cells will undergo abnormal growth. This makes them to keep dividing even if there is no need for new cells. The accumulation of cells will bring about formation of a mass within the testicle. Almost all testicular cancers start from the germ cells. Germs cells are those that produce immature cells.
There are some factors that increase the risk of contracting the condition. One of them is when a testicle fails to descend. Testes usually form in the abdominal area during development of the fetus and descend into the scrotum prior to birth. Men whose testicle did not descend are at greater risk of this form of cancer than those who had theirs descend normally. The risk remains high even if the testis is surgically relocated.
The condition runs in the family. Therefore, an individual whose family members have suffered from the condition will be at greater risk. The other factor is age, with men between 15 and 35 more at risk. This does not however mean that people of other ages are not affected. Black men are not as likely to be affected as white men. Any condition causing abnormal testicle growth increases the chances of growth.
In some cases, men will discover the condition on their own. This can happen intentionally when they look out for the symptoms or during self examination. In others cases, a doctor may notice the growth during regular checkup. Tests must be carried out to determine whether the lump is cancerous or not. One way to do this is through the use of ultrasound that involves taking images of the testicle.
A blood test may be used to know the level of the tumor marker. The level of the markers in blood increases when one has contracted cancer of the testicles. The testicle that is affected could also be surgically removed to find out of it is cancerous.
The treatment options depend on various factors. These include the type of cancer, the stage it is in, overall health of the patient and their preference. Treatment options are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
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