Cancer

The earliest symptoms of testicular cancer are: Pain, swelling, or hardness in the testicle, or some combination of these symptoms A small, painless lump on the testicle A “heaviness” in the scrotum An ache in the lower abdomen or groin An accumulation of blood or fluid in the scrotum Any change in the way a

The cause of testicular cancer is largely unknown. As yet, there is no identifiable link between testicular cancer and genetics, habits, lifestyles, or activities. There is some evidence that the risk of testicular cancer is higher in men whose testicles failed to descend normally through the inguinal canal to the scrotum before birth or by the age

One of the most effective ways of finding a tumor is by testicular self-examination on a monthly basis. Most lumps in the testicle are cancerous, but noncancerous masses and cysts can arise from other causes, such as infection. If a suspicious lump is found, the initial steps toward diagnosis include: Physical examination Specialized tests Physical

One of the first things the doctor does when testicular cancer is diagnosed is to determine the stage of the disease. This investigation is called “staging” and was developed to describe the extent of the cancer growth. It allows the physician to customize the treatment. Testicular cancer is “staged’ by information obtained from the surgical

No one treatment works for all testicular cancer. This is because the two basic types of testicular cancer-seminomas and nonseminomas-differ in: Their tendency to spread The way they spread How they respond to radiation therapy Because of these different characteristics, seminomas and nonseminomas require different treatments. The treatment combinations are chosen depending on the tumor

Of chief concern to most men, especially young men, is how treatment might affect their sexual or reproductive abilities. After Surgery After Radiation Therapy After Chemotherapy After Surgery An operation to remove one testicle: Does not cause impotency Seldom interferes with fertility (the ability to father a child) Men with one healthy testicle can still: Have

Regular follow-up examinations are extremely important for anyone who has been treated for testicular cancer. After treatment: The doctor will monitor the man for several years to be sure the cancer has been completely eliminated. If the cancer does recur, it is extremely important to detect it immediately and start additional treatment. Follow-up care varies,

Men who have been treated for cancer in one testicle have about a 1% chance of developing cancer in the remaining testicle. If cancer recurs, it is almost always a new disease rather than a spread from the previous cancer. Because of this tendency, a man should: Be checked regularly by his doctor Continue to

The outlook for testicular cancer is excellent. Researchers have found more and better ways to diagnose and treat this disease, and recovery has dramatically improved. The majority of men treated for testicular cancer today are cured by their initial treatment. Many of those who experience a recurrence can be cured as well. Doctors emphasize that,

Here are some frequently asked questions related to testicular cancer. Q: Will testicular cancer affect my sex life, or make me infertile? A: No. Men with one healthy testicle can still have a normal erection and produce sperm. An operation to remove one testicle does not make a man impotent and seldom interferes with fertility. For