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Apr 11, 2006
Testicular cancer: Self Examination Tips
by SirGan
 Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men that typically develops in one or both testicles. Most of the patients are 15 to 34 years old. Nearly 2000 men are diagnosed with this form of cancer in the Testicles are normally positioned in scrotum, a bag-like formations just underneath the penis. They are very important because they produce male sex hormones and sperm cells for reproduction. These hormones control the development of the reproductive organs and other male physical characteristics. Like with almost all other cancers- the cause of testicular cancer is unknown. What's good about this cancer- it’s highly treatable when diagnosed early. So, regular testicular self-examinations could be the key for successful treatment of testicular cancer. Who is in great risk for developing this form of cancer?There are men who are more likely to get testicular cancer then the others. This includes males that are white. Also males who have a positive family history of testicular cancer are in greater risk! There is one condition in which testicles didn’t come down into the scrotum- this is also considered to be a big risk for developing cancer! Males, who have a groin hernia or some kind of pain and swelling of the testicles, during an episode of mumps or suffered from orchitis, are also at higher risk! Types of testicular cancerOver 90% of cancers of the testicle develop from certain types of cells known as germ cells. There are two types of testicular cancer: seminoma and teratoma. They have almost all the same symptoms but, histological structure is completely different. Seminoma is made from a single type of cell, while the teratoma consist more then one type of cell. There are two types of seminoma- classical type and the spermatocytic type. Over 95% of seminomas are classical. What's characteristic? Average age of men with spermatocytic type of carcinoma is 55, which is almost 10 to 15 years older then the average age for all other types of testicular cancer! There are also several other types of testicular cancer such as Embryonal carcinoma, Yolk sac carcinoma and Choriocarcinomas, but they occur very rarely! Carcinoma that has spread on other parts of body is called Invasive testicular carcinoma and non-invasive form is called carcinoma in situ or intratubular germ cell neoplasia. What are the most common symptoms of testicular cancer?Among many other symptoms of testicular cancer, the most common one is a lump or swelling in one testicle. Other possible symptoms are
Of course, these symptoms do not indicate only on presence of testicular cancer. As a matter of fact- most lumps in the scrotum are not testicular cancer. Other diseases and conditions that can produce testicular lumps include
Self-examination for testicular cancer
Regular testicular self examination, at least-once a month, can literally save your life because, in this case- early diagnosis is the key of effective treatment! It’s recommended to choose the same day each month. Time required for the complete self-examination is about 5 minutes! First thing you should do is take a bath or shower because it will relax the testicles so it would be a lot easier to identify any changes. Every testicle should be examined individually using a gentle finger pressure. It should be always done in front of mirror because you will be able to see the symmetry and the structures that you can't normally see! What does “normal testicles” look like? You shouldn’t be alarmed when you notice a slight asymmetry because it is quite normal for one testicle to hang lower than the other. You should first examine your epididymis! If it is normal, then it should be soft and slightly tender to the touch. Its function is to store sperm. You should find a spermatic cord, called vas deferens which goes from the top of the epididymis. It’s a smooth and firm tube! Then you can start with examination of testicles! They should be smooth, symmetric and no lumps should be present in scrotum. Every testicle should be examined with both hands. Index and middle finger should be placed under the testicle with the thumbs placed on top. Then, you just need to roll the testicle gently between the thumbs and fingers and seek for any abnormalities! You should definitely explore the entire surface for hard, fixed areas, lumps and nodules. Most commonly, the lumps are located in the sides of the testicles-very rarely on the top or under the testicle. When you finish the examination of each testicle individually- then look at the both testicles at the same time. Put the both testicles in your palm and seek for any asymmetry! Remember: slight asymmetry is completely normal because one testicle is always a bit bigger and higher positioned!
1. Blood tests - in the blood. They are secure sign that there is some kind of - cancer in the body! Most common tumor markers are alpha- - fetoprotein, Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and lactate dehydrogenase. 2. Ultrasound check - mass in the testicle. This method can also rule out some - other conditions such as bacterial inflammation and other - condition unrelated to cancer. 3. Biopsy - structure examined this way is the secure sign of is there a cancer in - testicles or not! It is done by a clinical pathologist which examine a - tissue sample under a microscope. Treatment of testicular cancer
Several types of treatments are commonly used for testicular cancer and what would be the best method depends from type of cancer and how far it has spread. There are several levels or stages of cancer spreading:stage I - cancer located only in testicles stage II - it has spread to the regional lymph nodes stage III - there are cancer cells in the abdomen stage IV - cancer has spread to other parts of the body What's good about it? Because these types of cancers are slow growing and tend to stay localized, in most cases they are diagnosed in stage 1 or 2. SURGERY
Surgery is the most common and the most invasive type or testicular cancer treatment. The operation of removing the testicle is called orchidectomy! All affected structures will also be removed such as regional lymph nodes. About 5% to 10% of patients have complications after surgery, such as bowel obstruction or wound infections. RADIATION THERAPY
This method uses high-energy rays to kill the cancer cells that are rapidly growing. Good thing about it is that this is in fact a “local therapy” which means that it hits only testicles. Problem is that these high-energy rays affect also normal as well as cancerous cells. So the possible side effects include fatigue, skin changes, loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea. It will also reduce the spermatogenesis- production of sperm in the healthy testicle if there is one- for at least year or two! CHEMOTHERAPY
There is one kind of medications called anti-cancer therapy medications which are very strong and often used as the initial therapy of testicular cancer! Problem with this kind of therapy is that such therapy represents a systemic type of therapy which means that these medications normally must travel all through the bloodstream and affect normal cells throughout the body also. So this therapy have many possible side effects such as coughing and shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, hair loss, vomiting, fever, mouth sores, or skin rash. These mediations also kill the cells found in bone marrow which primary role is to produce and store blood cells. This could seriously damage the “blood quality” of the patient! |
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Most testicular tumors are discovered by patients themselves- accidentally or while performing a self-examination! 
If you find any kind of lump, fluids or any kind of asymmetry- you should seek for medical help immediately. Although, it doesn’t have to be a cancer- it can spread if not stopped by the early diagnosis and treatment. Only a physician can make a positive diagnosis. 
