What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer also known as TC is a cancer that develops in the testicles which are the male reproduction organs. When cells grow too quickly it can result in a tumor. Not all tumors are cancerous therefore not all lumps in the testicle area are indicative of testicular cancer.

Is TC treatable?

Testicular cancer is considered somewhat rare and is very treatable. What method is used to treat this cancer is dependent on the person and how advanced the cancer has become. It is most commonly found in males between the ages of 15 and 35 however can develop in males of any age.

Can this type of cancer spread?

Testicular cancer is like any other cancer and can spread to numerous other parts of the body including the lungs, liver, pancreas and any other area. This usual only happens in extreme cases when it is not dealt with when first noticed.

Does TC produce symptoms?

As with any disease cancer or otherwise there are certain signs of testicular cancer. These warning signs are your body’s way of telling you there may be a problem that needs further attention. Pay attention to these signs as it will make treatment much easier and less painful in the long run. Some of these symptoms may include lumps on the testicles, unusual pain or numbness of the testicle area as well as a feeling of heaviness, pain in the lower back and stomach or groin area, withdrawal or loss of interest in sex, weakness and fatigue, swelling of the testicles and a general feeling of not feeling well often referred to as malaise.

How is testicular cancer treated?

TC is most often treated by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments however in advanced cases surgery is also an option. In some cases surgical removal of the affected testicle is sometimes necessary but normal sexual function usually returns after recovery.

How do I know if I have TC for sure?

If you suspect you are experiencing any of the signs of testicular cancer see a doctor soon. Aside from regular checkups you should also perform self examinations on a regular basis. The best time to do this is right after a bath or shower because the skin is softer and easier to move around at this time. Look for lumps and swelling in the testicles. Testicular cancer can cause testicles to swell up to three times the normal size however it is common for one testicle to be slightly larger and lower than the other so this alone is not a cause for alarm. Remember that the only person that truly knows your body and what is normal for you is you.

Many people are under the misconception that cancer only happens to the older generation but this is untrue. The most common age for developing testicular cancer is between the ages of fifteen and forty although it can happen at other ages as well. This is why it is important to do regular monthly self exams. In order to know when changes are occurring in your body it is necessary to know how your body feels and looks under normal circumstances. This makes it easier to detect when you see or feel something out of the ordinary. If you do happen to notice abnormalities pay attention. Don’t let it go seek medical advice on how to best treat the possible problem.

When performing self examinations of the testicles it is best to do so during or after a warm bath or shower because this is when the skin is the softest and easiest to manipulate. You should look for anything unusual particularly any kind of lumps or possible swelling. It is considered normal for one testicle to appear larger and lower than the other so this alone is not a cause for alarm.

In addition to regular self examinations there are also certain testicular cancer symptoms that men of all ages should be aware of. Some of these symptoms may include blood in the semen, unusual sensitivity or pain in the testicles, pain in the stomach, groin or lower back areas, withdrawal or loss of interest in sex, weakness, fatigue, swelling and lumps on one or both testicles. Any changes in size of the testicles should be noted as testicles containing a tumor can swell as much as three times the normal size. It is important to have any abnormalities checked however not all lumps indicate tumors and tumors are not cancerous in all cases. This is why seeking medical attention is so important. There are tests available to determine if certain lumps are in fact testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer although considered slightly rare is treatable with a high success rate. This is especially true when it is caught in the early stages. The longer you put off seeking medical attention the higher the chances of the cancer spreading. As the cancer spreads it can affect other areas of the body. When this happens although it is often still treatable it can be much more difficult and time consuming.

Treatments of testicular cancer may include chemotherapy and radiotherapy depending on how advanced the cancer is. In some cases surgery may also be used but this is usually done in advanced cases. In some instances it may be necessary to surgically remove the testicle containing the tumor but sexual function usually returns to normal after recovery.

If think you may be experiencing testicular cancer symptoms see a doctor promptly. The longer you wait the worse it will get. Remember that you are the most important key in your recovery and treatment.

It is important to know the normal look and feel of your testicles. This will help you in noticing abnormalities sooner rather than later. Not all conditions associated with the testicles are serious; some may be simple hygiene or problems that may be cleared up quite quickly.

Many men put off seeking treatment for possible cases of testicular cancer out of fear. This is because the word cancer in any context scares most people but the truth of the matter is testicular cancer is one of the most treatable and curable cancers when caught early enough, and when detected in the initial stages the chances of complete recovery increase significantly. In most cases chemotherapy and radiation therapy are often effective treatments with surgery generally being reserved for advanced cases.

Self checking testicular cancer on a regular basis is something that should be done by all men regardless of age. The best way to do this is during a hot bath or shower as this makes the skin of the scrotum considerably softer making it easier to feel the testicles. The scrotum is the sac that or skin that covers the testicles. Begin my checking the testicles for visible lumps on the outside and any feelings of swelling on the inside. In order to feel any differences between testicles start by holding both in one hand. If one is larger or lower than the other do not be alarmed as this is very common and is considered normal. The next step is to check each testicle separately and compare the differences between them. To do this, roll the skin between your thumb and forefinger using both hands. The skin should be smooth so look for any lumps or possible swelling in this area.

When checking testicular cancer in this way it is important to notice any changes that you may find from one time to the next. This type of self examination should be done on a monthly basis. Knowing the look and feel of your own body is extremely important when doing this as it will help you to notice these differences more quickly than if you did not know what was normal and what might need further attention.

If you do notice any signs of lumps or swelling or any of the other warning signs or symptoms of testicular cancer it is very important to seek the advice of a health care professional promptly. The longer you wait the harder it will be to treat the cancer. Even though testicular cancer is treatable how long you wait plays a larger role in how long treatment will take and thus how long recovery may take. Waiting could mean the difference between simple treatments and possible surgery.

Because this cancer is considered relatively rare it is estimated that few men will be faced with it in their lifetime. Even so it is important to know what to watch for in relation to this cancer. In most cases a lump or growth on the testicle forms. This lump may be painful or the individual may feel nothing more than an unusual hardness. Either way you should have any growths checked promptly as early detection makes for easier treatments.

Testicular cancer is highly treatable and which treatment option is used is dependent on the stage of the cancer, the exact location and size and the age and general health of the individual. In some cases more than one treatment may be used to fully eradicate the cancer.

It has been noted that male children born with an undescended testicle are at an increased risk for developing testicular cancer even when surgery is done to correct this abnormality. It is still recommended that this surgery be performed to ensure the preservation of fertility. it is thought that whatever condition causes the testicle not to descend may be what increase this risk not the actual undescending testicle. Other abnormalities in which the testicles do not form properly may also increase the risk of developing TC.

Some common symptoms that men most especially those in their early twenties should be aware of include lumps appearing on either testicle, pain in the lower stomach, groin, scrotum or testicle areas and swelling or enlargement of the testicles.

Not all lumps found on the testicles are indicative of testicular cancer but should be checked at any rate. In many cases they are simply benign or non cancerous growths that may be easily removed in a variety of ways.

If you have any symptoms that may be associated with this type of cancer or that you think are unusual it is important to seek the advice of a health care professional. In its earliest stages TC is extremely treatable with a high success rate. The sooner TC is diagnosed the higher the chances that treatments will be completely effective. Symptoms of advanced TC may be more sever and affect other areas depending on what part of the body is affected and how far it has spread. Some of these symptoms may include lower back and stomach pain, confusion, dementia, headache, coughing, trouble breathing, chest pain, fever, excessive sweating and lack of energy. These symptoms generally indicate that the cancer has spread and should be looked into promptly.

Testicular cancer could be thwarted by undergoing regular physical tests performed by healthcare professionals or by doing self-exams.

Consultation from a healthcare professional must promptly be sought in case one senses any discomforting sensation in the pelvic, scrotal or lower back area.

Duo Procedures for Testicular cancer Prevention are Testicular treatment and Testicular self-exam.

Tests are performed for diagnosing any irregularities or lumpy sensations in the testis. Testes (shape-size similar to an egg) are the male reproductive organs located within the scrotum that are responsible for production of sperms and the male hormone, testosterone. Epididymis – a convoluted tube is located at the rear of the testis which accumulates and stores sperms.

The testes develop in the abdominal area and prior to or following childbirth, it makes its descent into the scrotum. Un-descended testis could pose a significant risk factor.

Testicular exams are physical exams conducted of organs in the genital region and groin area by a healthcare expert. The existence of a swell up, any ocular indications of irregularities, lumpy formations or shrinkage in testis could be checked the healthcare professional by palpating the genital organs.

Any inflamed, painful sensation, swell up mass or lump formations and inborn irregularities in the person are identified by the testicular exam for occurrence of any signs of testicular cancer.

Examination of genital organs is crucial for all males regardless of age. The genital examination in infants is done for checked whether testes have descended and any innate anomalies.

For detecting testicular cancer in its preliminary staging, testicular exams are conducted among males in age group of 15-40years. Generally testicular cancer is often noted in younger-aged males as compared to those elderly.  Testicular cancer spotted early on could be treated promptly and with ease.

Testicular self examination or TSE

TSE are done for detecting early staging of the disease. Testicular Enlargement and painless lumps noted during self-exams help in discovering presence of testicular cancers.

In case those in ages from fifteen to forty years old testicular self-exams would be advised by a health care expert on a monthly basis. Though this is quite divisive, monthly testicular self-exams are not requisite in case of males having low risk of getting testicular cancer though males in the high risk bracket like having a family case history of un-descended testis and personal past of this disease must undergo monthly TSE.

Those detected with cancerous lumps in testis must immediately get treated, option being surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgical procedure involves removal of the cancer-ridden testis and at times lymph nodes. For this reason, radiation and chemotherapy treatments are employed.

On patient’s wishes, insertion of a synthetic testis is done into the scrotal area for regaining normal look. Reproductive system functioning is unaffected as there is still one normal functioning testis.