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- Prostate Cancer
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Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Introduction:
Testicular cancer is a rare cancer, but it is the commonest cancer to affect men aged between 20 to 44 years. There are nearly 2,000 cases of testicular cancer diagnosed each year in the UK, but more than 90 per cent can be cured if detected early
- What is testicular cancer?
- What do the testicles do?
- How do I examine my testicles?
- What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
- Why does testicular cancer happen?
- How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
- What does staging mean?
- What is the treatment for testicular cancer?
- What happens after treatment for testicular cancer?
What is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer develops in the germs cells (or sperm-producing cells) in the testicles. It begins when a cell grows out of control and forms into a lump called a tumour. If the cancer is not detected and treated at an early stage, cancer cells can break away and spread to other organs in the body.
There are two main types of testicular cancer:
-
Seminomas tend to grow slowly and are less likely to spread.
About 45 per cent of patients have this type and it is most
likely to affect men between 25 and 55
- Non-seminomas: these can also be called teratomas and are made up of different cell types that grow more quickly than seminomas
Other types of cancer that can develop in the testicles include:
- A type of cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Leydig cell tumours
- Sertoli cell tumours
What do the testicles do?
The testicles (or testes) are part of the male reproductive organs. Oval-shaped, they lie in the scrotum (or sac) below the penis, where they produce sperm and the male hormone testosterone.
What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
Symptoms vary from person to person, but they can include:
- A lump or hardening of a testicle – it may or may not be painful
- An ache or ‘dragging’ feeling in the scrotum, abdomen or groin
- Swollen and tender testicle
- A build up of fluid in the scrotum
- An enlargement of the breasts, with or without tenderness
- Rarely, first symptoms may include backache, stomach ache or a cough which could be early signs that the cancer has spread
If you find a swelling in a testicle, you should see your GP or visit your
local sexual health clinic (GUM Clinic) for advice as soon as possible.
Remember, most lumps aren’t cancerous but more likely to be due to other
conditions such as cysts or benign swellings.
How do I examine my testicles?
According to charity the Orchid Cancer Appeal, less than one in five men regularly check their testicles, even though a simple regular check is known to help detect the early signs of testicular cancer.
Regular self-examination can help you be more aware of your testicles, their size, what they feel like and what is normal for you:
- Pick a time after a warm shower or bath when the scrotal skin is
relaxed
- Cradle the scrotum in the palm of your hand
- Familiarise yourself with the size and weight of each testicle. Each
testicle has a coiled tube called an epididymis at the top which takes
sperm to the penis. This is can be felt behind the testicle and is perfectly
normal
- Examine each testicle by rolling it between your fingers and thumb.
It will be round, smooth and soft
- Feel gently for lumps, swellings or changes in consistency
Why does testicular cancer happen?
The exact cause of testicular cancer is not known.
There are a number of factors which can make it more likely:
-
An undescended testicle: if both testicles haven’t descended into
the scrotum, there is a higher risk of a man developing testicular cancer
-
Family history: men with a father or brother who has had testicular
cancer have a slightly higher risk
-
Age: testicular cancer is diagnosed more frequently in the young and
middle-aged than in elderly men
- Race and ethnicity: testicular cancer is more common in white European men
Will I recover?
Most testicular cancers can be cured if they are caught early enough and the cure rate is still high, even if the cancer has spread.
How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
If your GP suspects your symptoms may be testicular cancer, you may have the
following tests:
- Physical examination
- Ultrasound scans use sound waves to build up a picture of your testicle and
are painless
- Blood tests assess levels of chemicals called ‘tumour markers’ in your
blood
- Biopsy: this is a surgical procedure where a small sample of the tumour will be removed and analysed. If the results of the biopsy show the lump is cancerous, the testicle will be removed in an operation called an orchidectomy.
Before surgery, your surgeon will offer you the option of an artificial testicle. After surgery, the cancerous cells will then be examined to see which type of testicular cancer it is.
If the diagnosis is cancer, other tests may include:
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- Chest X-ray
What does staging mean?
The stage of a cancer means determining its size and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Doctors need to know the stage of a cancer in order to decide on the best form of treatment for you. You can find out more about the staging of testicular cancer at Cancerbackup.
What is the treatment for testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is normally treated with a combination of surgery,
radiotherapy and / or chemotherapy. Your specific treatment will depend on the
type and stage of the cancer. Treatment is usually very successful and most men
will be completely cured.
Possible treatments could be:
-
Surgery: an orchidectomy (removal of the testicle) is the first
treatment for testicular cancer and may be the only treatment you need.
Occasionally, further surgery may be needed to remove any cancer cells that
remain in the lymph nodes
-
Radiotherapy uses high energy X-rays to kill cancer cells.
Radiotherapy is most effective and most commonly recommended for men with a
seminoma. It isn’t usually used for men with a teratoma
- Chemotherapy: anti-cancer drugs are put into the blood to destroy or control the cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often recommended for men with a teratoma to prevent the cancer recurring, or to treat cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. It is sometimes recommended for men with a seminoma
What happens after treatment for testicular cancer?
After your treatment has finished, you will have regular check-ups and tests – these can include scans, blood tests and X-rays. If you have any new symptoms or experience problems with side effects, you should let your medical team know as soon as possible.
Can I still have sex?
An orchidectomy can make you feel sore for a few days afterwards, but once you have recovered, you should be able to have sex as normal.
If I only have one testicle, will I still be able to have children?
One testicle will produce enough sperm and hormones to make up for the testicle that has been removed. However, if you need to have additional treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, this may interfere with fertility. Even if you aren’t at present planning to have children, you may wish to bank sperm, just in case.
Clickthrough information and support links:
Orchid Cancer
Appeal
Everyman is a
campaign launched by The
Institute of Cancer Research to raise awareness of the cancers that can
affect men and raise funds for research
Cancer Help (Cancer
Research UK)
Cancer
Backup
Macmillan Cancer
Support
Marie Curie Cancer
Care
References:This article has been written for PruHealth by Dr Foster Research. All Dr Foster Research (DFR) health content is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional.
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