Testicular neoplasms are abnormal growths in the testicles that can be benign or malignant. Most testicular tumors are cancerous, but testicular cancer is not very common and has a positive outlook if treated promptly. Germ cells or reproductive cells are the most common source of testicular cancer, with seminomas being the most common type. Symptoms include a painless lump, pain, or heaviness in the testicle. Diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasound, and treatment involves surgical removal of the affected testicle, followed by radiation or chemotherapy. Seminomas have a good prognosis, while nonseminomas have a less positive prognosis.
A testicular neoplasm is an abnormal growth found in the testicle or testicle. The term neoplasm can refer to any type of abnormal growth, so a neoplasm could be a benign tumor or a malignant tumor. Malignant tumors are cancerous, while benign tumors are not. Most testicular tumors are cancerous, but fortunately, testicular cancer is not very common, accounting for only about 10% of all male cancers. The outlook for testicular cancer is often positive, as many are curable if treated promptly.
Usually, a testicular neoplasm arises from what are known as germ cells or reproductive cells. Most cancers develop in the cells that make up sperm and are known as seminomas. Nonseminomas are tumors formed by other types of germ cells. Testicular cancer is most likely to develop in a white male between the ages of 15 and 35, but the cause is unknown. The most common symptom is a painless lump, although some men may experience pain or a feeling of heaviness in the testicle.
Sometimes patients do not visit the doctor until testicular cancer has spread, causing signs of malignancy elsewhere in the body. The process of tumor spreading is known as metastasis, and new cancer growths in different areas of the body are called metastasis. Depending on the location of these metastases, symptoms could include cough and shortness of breath, nausea and loss of appetite, back pain or a lump in the neck. Some tumors secrete hormones that can cause swollen breasts, a condition known as gyno.
The diagnosis of a testicular neoplasm is usually confirmed by an ultrasound. A chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan of the pelvis and abdomen are then done to look for any signs of spread. Treatment of testicular cancer typically involves surgical removal of the affected testicle, along with nearby lymph nodes. Depending on the type of tumor and how far the tumor has spread, surgery may be followed by radiation or chemotherapy.
Seminomas have a good prognosis when treated in the early stages. For stage I cancers, in which testicular cancer is treated before it spreads beyond the testicle, about 95% of patients survive for at least five years. Nonseminomas have a less positive prognosis, with about 86 percent of men still alive after five years. After successful treatment, patients usually have regular follow-up appointments to check for cancer recurrence.
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