Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is uncommon, affecting only one out of every 250 men in the United States, with just over 9,000 cases reported each year. That said, it’s the most common cancer diagnosis in American males between the ages of 15 and 35. The good news is that this type of cancer is highly treatable, especially with the right team. That team can be found at Charleston Oncology. To learn more, call to request an appointment.
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Testicular Cancer Q & A

What are the main types of testicular cancer?
The majority of testicular cancers start in your germ cells, which are responsible for producing sperm. These tumors are either seminomas or non-seminomas, and the latter is the faster growing of the two. The tumors can first develop as a noninvasive disease called carcinoma in situ or intratubular germ cell neoplasia. These conditions don’t necessarily lead to cancer and often go undiagnosed until, and if, they turn into a germ cell cancer. Testicular cancer can also present itself in your hormone-producing tissue as gonadal stromal tumors. Tumors can also develop as a result of another cancer, meaning it’s a secondary type of cancer, which most often occurs with lymphoma and acute leukemia.
What are the signs of testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is a tricky cancer to diagnose since other conditions cause many of its symptoms, such as injury or infection. Still, if you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s always a good idea to check for cancer because, as with most cancers, early detection is key.

  • A mass in your testicle
  • Pain in your groin, usually a dull ache
  • Fluid buildup in your scrotum
  • Back or abdominal pain
  • Enlarged breasts (though this is rare)

If you have any of these symptoms, your doctor at Charleston Oncology investigates further using the following:

  • Ultrasound
  • Blood tests

If your doctor finds a suspicious lump, they may recommend removing your testicle to perform further testing. Because you have two testicles, the loss of one usually isn’t terribly serious and its impact not very significant.

How is testicular cancer treated?

As stated in the question above, surgical removal of your testicle is often the first step when it comes to testicular cancer. Depending upon the resulting biopsy of your testicle, your doctor may recommend follow-up treatment to ensure that your cancer is fully eradicated. These treatments include:

  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Stem cell transplant

Outside of these treatments, your doctor may recommend a clinical trial if one is available for testicular cancer.

For more information on testicular cancer, call Charleston Oncology to schedule a consultation.

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