Testicular cancer is rare and affects men between 20 and 34. Symptoms include a palpable lump, feeling of heaviness, pain, and fluid buildup. Monthly self-exams are recommended, and early diagnosis has a 90% cure rate. Treatment includes removal of the affected testicle, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Testicular cancer is a relatively rare type of cancer, occurring in less than one percent of all cancers. Malignant cells can form in or around one of the testicles, creating a palpable lump. Testicular cancer also primarily affects men between the ages of 20 and 34, although it can occur in younger or older men. Symptoms such as feeling a lump or pressure in the scrotum can help diagnose the disease in its early stages.
In addition to feeling a real lump, symptoms can also include a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. The scrotum may also feel like it’s being pulled down. A man’s breast tissue may be slightly enlarged or feel tender. Testicular cancer is also identified with pain in the testicles, penis or scrotum. The pain can be intermittent.
Fluid can build up in the scrotum, making the scrotum feel unusually large. Men may also notice an upset stomach. Also, the groin area may be painful or have a dull aching sensation.
Although women are often asked to perform monthly breast self-exams, men are rarely asked to perform monthly testicular self-exams. These self-exams can prove very helpful in the early diagnosis of testicular cancer. They are best undertaken in showers where the water can help the man feel his scrotum easily and therefore have a ‘normal’ basis. A monthly exam can help a man recognize any differences that may have occurred.
Sometimes men mistakenly believe they have cancer because one testicle looks bigger than the other. This is actually quite normal and not a cause for alarm unless the difference in size between the testicles is significant. In a self-examination men may also notice a tubal structure located towards the anus. This is the epididymis, the tube that allows sperm to flow from the penis. Feeling the epididymis after self-examination is completely normal.
If you notice a lump or are experiencing the above symptoms, you should contact a doctor right away. Early stage testicular cancer has a 90% cure rate. Having more than one of the above symptoms should mean contacting a doctor right away for further testing. As the cancer progresses, the survival rate can decrease. Also, this condition may be the result of cancer elsewhere in the body that has spread to the testicles.
Additional risk factors for testicular cancer include having a sibling with the condition and being in a higher socioeconomic group. A rare manifestation of mumps can also cause testicular cancer. Since most people are vaccinated against mumps, this is very rare. Those with fertility issues should also be tested to rule out testicular cancer.
Normal tests involve examination by a doctor, ultrasound of the scrotum, and blood tests. A biopsy is occasionally done to check for malignant cells or to determine the stage of the cancer. Treatment may include removal of the lump and often includes removal of the affected testicle. Follow-up treatment tends to include radiation or chemotherapy. Although rare, testicular cancer is deadly if left untreated. However, treatment usually results in a high success rate. Men with this condition often go on to live normal, healthy lives and are unaffected sexually by having a testicle removed.
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