Surgical removal of the testicle is a highly effective treatment for testicular cancer and may be the only necessary action. Surgical removal of the testicle will not affect your ability to have children or maintain an erection.Apr 28, 2017
What is the primary treatment for testicular cancer?
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the 3 main treatments for testicular cancer. Your recommended treatment plan will depend on: the type of testicular cancer you have – whether it's a seminoma or a non-seminoma.
How is early stage testicular cancer treated?
In cases of early-stage testicular cancer, surgical removal of the testicle may be the only treatment needed. Surgery to remove nearby lymph nodes (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) is performed through an incision in your abdomen.Apr 24, 2020
What of testicular cancer is curable if treated early?
While a cancer diagnosis is always serious, the good news about testicular cancer is that it is treated successfully in 95% of cases. If treated early, the cure rate rises to 98%.May 2, 2022
Why is testicular cancer common in young men?
Testicular cancer cases are most common among men in their early 20s and early 40s. Dr. Konijeti explains that the testes are more actively producing testosterone and sperm in men when they are younger, thus raising the risk for cancer. White men also may have a higher risk than other racial groups.May 14, 2020
Can you have kids after testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer or its treatment can make you infertile (unable to father a child). Before treatment starts, men who might want to father children may consider storing sperm in a sperm bank for later use. But testicular cancer also can cause low sperm counts, which could make it hard to get a good sample.May 17, 2018
What ages get testicular cancer?
The average age at the time of diagnosis of testicular cancer is about 33. This is largely a disease of young and middle-aged men, but about 6% of cases occur in children and teens, and about 8% occur in men over the age of 55.Jan 12, 2022
Can testicular cancer heal without removal?
If there's a high suspicion that the cancer might be a testicular choriocarcinoma, chemo may be started without a biopsy or surgery to remove the testicle. If the cancer has spread to the brain, surgery (if there are only 1 or 2 tumors in the brain), radiation therapy aimed at the brain, or both may also be used.Sep 4, 2019
Can you get an erection without testes?
Without both testicles, your body won't be able to make as much testosterone as it needs. That might lower your sex drive and make it harder to have erections. You could have hot flashes, lose some muscle mass, and be more tired than usual.Apr 17, 2021
What are 5 warning signs of testicular cancer?
You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Swelling, pain or discomfort in the scrotum.
- A lump or swelling in either testicle, usually painless.
- Pain or discomfort in a testicle.
- A change in how a testicle feels.
- A dull ache or heaviness in your lower abdomen or groin.
Dec 28, 2020
Can 21 year olds get testicular cancer?
Most people with testicular cancer are diagnosed in their 20s or 30s, so it usually affects younger people. It's possible to get testicular cancer at a younger or older age, but it's not as common.
Can a 20 year old have testicular cancer?
Age. More than half of the people who are diagnosed with testicular cancer are between age 20 and 45. However, people of any age can develop this disease, including those in their teens and in their 60s, so it is important that anyone with symptoms of testicular cancer visit the doctor.
Is testicular cancer the young mans cancer?
Testicular cancer affects teens and younger men, particularly those between ages 15 and 35. However, it can occur at any age. Race. Testicular cancer is more common in white men than in black men.Apr 24, 2020
Carcinoma in Situ (Stage 0) Testicular Tumors
In this stage, the cancer has not spread outside the testicle, and your tumor marker levels (like HCG and AFP) are not elevated. If CIS is diagnose...
Stage III Seminomas and Non-Seminomas
Even though stage III tumors have spread by the time they are found, most of them can still be cured.Both stage III seminomas and non-seminomas are...
Recurrent Testicular Cancer
If the cancer goes away with treatment and then comes back, it's said to have recurred or relapsed. If this happens, it’s usually within the first...
Sertoli Cell and Leydig Cell Tumors
Typically, radical inguinal orchiectomy is the treatment for Sertoli cell and Leydig cell tumors. Radiation therapy and chemo generally don't work...
More Treatment Information For Testicular Cancer
For more details on treatment options – including some that may not be addressed here – the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the Na...
Overview
Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles (testes), which are located inside the scrotum, a loose bag of skin underneath the penis. The testicles produce male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction.Compared with other types of cancer, testicular cancer is rare. But testicular cancer is the most common cancer in Ame…
- The objective of radiation therapy is to kill testicular cancer cells for a maximum probability of cure with a minimum of side effects. The role of radiation in the treatment for testicular cancer depends predominantly on the histologic classification and the stage of the cancer. Radiation is generally given in the form of high-energy beams that deposit the radiation dose in the body whe…
Staging
- Testicular cancer is staged using various systems in different countries. Using the TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors, testicular cancer is staged as follows: Stage I--tumor confined to testes; Stage II--tumor has spread to para-aortic lymph glands; Stage III--lymph gland involvement in chest or neck; Stage IV--cancer has spread outside of lymph glands, such as to lu…
- A staging system is a standardized way for the cancer care team to summarize and describe the extent of your cancer. Testicular cancer is staged using the TNM system created by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC).The staging system of testicular cancer contains 4 key pieces of information: 1. T refers to how much the primary tumor has spread to tissues next to the testi…
- Many organizations employ the tumor, nodes, and metastasis (TNM) classification system. In the U.S., the commonly used TNM staging system is the one developed by the American Joint Committee on Cancer. The TNM classification for testicular cancer differs from that for other solid tumors. It is unique in that it considers tumor markers in addition to the standard prognosti…
- The tests described in this section will help to show whether the cancer has spread (the stage). There are several staging systems for testicular cancer, but the most commonly used is the TNM system (see below). The TNM scores and the levels of tumour markers in the blood are used to work out an overall stage for the cancer. Stage I means that the cancer is found only in the testic…
Symptoms
- Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include: 1. A lump or enlargement in either testicle 2. A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum 3. A dull ache in the abdomen or groin 4. A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum 5. Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum 6. Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts 7. Back painCancer usually affects only one testicle.
- The cause of testicular cancer is unknown, although certain conditions can increase the risk that healthy cells will become abnormal. For example, individuals with a family history of the disease are at increased risk.Any condition that causes abnormal development of the testicle can increase risk. These include Klinefelter's syndrome and a condition called cryptorchidism, in which individ…
- sqaullie: What are the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer?Dr__Eric_Klein: The usual presenting sign is a lump in the testis. Occasionally men present with fatigue, loss of appetite or other systemic symptoms, or enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. The latter symptoms usually mean Stage III cancer and treatment with chemotherapy, and most are still curable.tomj: I am 1…
Risk Factors
- Factors that may increase your risk of testicular cancer include: 1. An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). The testes form in the abdominal area during fetal development and usually descend into the scrotum before birth. Men who have a testicle that never descended are at greater risk of testicular cancer than are men whose testicles descended normally. The risk rem…
- Prior injury or trauma to the testicles and recurrent actions such as horseback riding do not appear to be related to the development of testicular cancer.Most studies have not found that strenuous physical activity increases testicular cancer risk. Being physically active has been linked with a lower risk of several other forms of cancer as well as a lower risk of many other he…
- Djunga: Are there any risk factors for testicular cancer? Are you more at risk if you have had a vasectomy?Dr__Eric_Klein: Great question. The risk factors are a positive family history, history of an undescended testis, and age -- testis tumors are rare after age 35. Vasectomy does not increase the risk.Cat: My son was born with an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism) and had s…
Prevention
- There's no way to prevent testicular cancer.Some doctors recommend regular testicle self-examinations to identify testicular cancer at its earliest stage. But not all doctors agree. Discuss testicular self-examination with your doctor if you're unsure about whether it's right for you.
- Testicular cancer is not preventable but the earlier it is caught the more likely it is curable. Regular self-examination may be the easiest way to detect the presence of this type of cancer; however, concerned individuals should speak with a physician about the best method.The shower (or bath) is the best place to perform a self-exam because the heat relaxes the scrotum, making it easier t…
- Sarah: My husband had testicular cancer in his teens. We have young sons. At what age should they start self-exams?Dr__Eric_Klein: They should start at age 15. It is best done in the shower when the scrotal skin is lose and thin, once a month. Anything suspicious should be checked by a doctor.Sully: Is there any way to prevent testicular cancer or is it just random?Dr__Eric_Klein: NO …
Treatment
- Because of modern advancements in medicine, testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers. In 1970, a man with testicular cancer had only a 10% chance of survival. Today, modern treatments are so successful that with early detection the cure rate is almost 100%. Even if the cancer has widely metastasized, the cure rate is still 80%. Treatments include orchiectom…
- Arias: How is testicular cancer treated? Is treatment determined by stage or age of the patient?Dr__Eric_Klein: Treatment is determined by the stage (extent) of the cancer rather than the age of the patient. The initial treatment is removal of the testis, which may be followed by simple observation, radiation (for seminomas), surgery for removal of the lymph nodes in the abdomen…
Causes
- It's not clear what causes testicular cancer in most cases.Doctors know that testicular cancer occurs when healthy cells in a testicle become altered. Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. But sometimes some cells develop abnormalities, causing this growth to get out of control — these cancer cells continue dividing even when new …
Diagnosis
- 1. Epididymo-orchitis. 2. Torsion. 3. Lymphoma. 4. Other scrotal lumps - eg, hydrocele, haematocele, epididymal cyst, hernia. 5. Infection - eg, tuberculosis, syphilis, mumps.
- Arias: How is this disease diagnosed and what causes it?Dr__Eric_Klein: The cause of testis cancer is unknown. It’s usually self-diagnosed by the presence of a painless swelling or lump in the testis, although occasionally by enlarged lymph nodes or abdominal pain. Young men (ages 15 to 35) should perform a monthly self-exam. While the vast majority of testis cancers are cura…
- Men can experience back pain (as well as hip, groin, SI, and sacral pain) caused by referred pain from the male reproductive system. Back pain, changes in bladder function, and sexual dysfunction are the most common symptoms associated with male reproductive disorders.There are also a number of non-cancerous conditions that have similar symptoms to testicular cancer…
Prognosis
- There has been decline in mortality rates reported in Western countries.The prognosis is dependent on stage, tumour type and presence of low, medium or high levels of markers. 1. If the tumour is diagnosed early, over 95% of men are cured and treatment can be less intensive. 2. For NSGCTs, the overall results are less favourable than for seminomas. 3. Choriocarcinomas have t…
- Prognosis means the expected outcome of a disease. You may wish to discuss your prognosis with your doctor, but it is not possible for anyone to predict the exact course of the disease.To assess your prognosis, your doctor will consider: 1. 1. 1. your test results 2. the type of testicular cancer you have 3. the stage of the cancer 4. other factors such as your age, fitness and medica…
Undescended Testicle
- One of the main risk factors for testicular cancer is a condition called cryptorchidism, or undescended testicle(s). This means that one or both testicles fail to move from the abdomen (belly) into the scrotum before birth. Males with cryptorchidism are many times more likely to get testicular cancer than those with normally descended testicles.Normally, the testicles develop in…
- The testicles are part of a man’s reproductive system. Normally, each man has 2 testicles, and they are located under the penis in a sac-like pouch called the scrotum. They can also be called testes or gonads. The testicles produce sperm and testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that plays a role in the development of a man’s reproductive organs and other masculine characterist…
- The testicles (or testes) are part of the male reproductive system. In adult men, each one is normally a little smaller than a golf ball. They are held in a sack of skin called the scrotum. The scrotum hangs beneath the base of the penis.The testicles make the male hormones testosterone. They also make sperm. Sperm cells are carried from the testicles through small tu…