Testicular Cancer

Compared with other types of cancer, testicular cancer is rare. It is still very common among males aged between 15 years and 34. Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles. Testicles are located inside the scrotum and they produce male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction.

The exact cause for testicular cancer is not known. The cells that produce immature sperm in the testicles called germ cells become abnormal and develop into a cancer.

Symptoms of Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer normally affects only one testicle. They can result in a number of symptoms like:

• A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum,
• A lump or enlargement in either testicle,
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle,
• A dull ache in the abdomen,
• A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum,
• Enlargement of the breasts, and
• Unexplained fatigue and a feeling of not being well

Treatment of Testicular Cancer

Your overall health, the stage of your cancer, and the type of cancer will determine the type of cancer treatment you can choose.

Surgery

Radical inguinal orchiectomy or removing the affected testicle is the primary treatment for most types and stages of testicular cancer. The testicle is removed through an incision in your scrotum. A prosthetic, saline filled testicle can then be inserted if one chooses.

You may also have surgery to remove the lymph nodes in your groin. This procedure is normally done at the same time as the removal of testicle. Follow up on the surgery is essential to make sure that the cancer does not come back.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high powered energy beams like x-rays to kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy will normally be an option if you have seminoma type testicular cancer. Side effects may include fatigue and possible infertility.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill the cancer cells. The drugs move through the body killing cancer cells that may have migrated from the original tumor. Side effects may include fatigue, hair loss, infertility and nausea.

Stem cell transplant is a treatment that is still being researched. This involves thawing bone marrow stem cells after chemotherapy has been used to destroy the cancerous cells.

Prevention of Testicular Cancer

There is no sure way to prevent testicular cancer. Regular self examination is necessary to improve the chances of discovering a tumor during the early stages. Miracles for Men suggest that you test for testicular cancer during your annual physical.

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