What are testicles?
Testicles are the male sex glands and are part of the male reproductive system. Testicles are also called testes or gonads. They are located behind the penis in a pouch of skin called the scrotum.
The testicles produce sperm and several male hormones, including testosterone. The hormones control the development of the reproductive organs and other male characteristics - body and facial hair, low voice and broad shoulders.
What is testicular cancer?
Cancer that develops in a testicle is called testicular cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, about 9,190 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. An estimated 470 men will die of testicular cancer in 2023.
Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer.
When testicular cancer spreads, the cells are carried by blood or lymph, an almost colorless fluid produced by tissues all over the body. The fluid passes through lymph nodes, filtering bacteria and other abnormal substances such as cancer cells.
What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
The following are the most common symptoms of testicular cancer. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently:
- Lump in either testicle
- Enlargement of a testicle
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- Dull ache in the lower abdomen or in the groin
- A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
- Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
The symptoms of testicular cancer may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
What causes testicular cancer?
The exact cause of testicular cancer is not known. However, a number of factors increase the risk of the disease.
What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?
The exact cause of this disease is unknown. However, research shows that some men are more likely to develop testicular cancer. Possible risk factors include the following:
- Age: Most testicular cancers occur in men between the ages of 20 and 54.
- Cryptorchidism - undescended testicle(s)
- Family history
- Personal history of cancer in the other testicle
- Race and ethnicity: The rate of testicular cancer is higher in Caucasians than in other populations.
- HIV infection
Can testicular cancer be prevented?
Currently, there is no sure way to prevent the disease because:
- There are few known causes of the disease.
- Many of the suggested risk factors are those that cannot be changed.
- Many men with testicular cancer do not have the suggested risk factors.
However, testicular self-examination can improve the chances of finding a cancerous tumor early. Some doctors recommend doing them monthly, although it is unclear if they can reduce the death rate for testicular cancer.
Testicular Self-Examination (TSE) Procedure
- The best time for testicular self-examination is just after a warm bath or shower when the scrotal tissue is more relaxed.
- While standing in front of a mirror, place the thumbs on the front side of the testicle and support it with both hands' index and middle fingers.
- Gently roll the testicle between the fingers and thumbs. Feel for lumps, hardness or thickness. Compare the feelings in each testicle.
- If you find a lump, see your physician as soon as possible.
Testicular self-examination is not a substitute for routine physical examinations by your physician.
How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for testicular cancer may include the following:
- Ultrasound - a diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image. This test can be used to determine if a lump on a testicle is solid or filled with fluid. (Solid lumps are more likely to be cancerous.)
- Blood tests - assessment of blood samples to check for increased levels of certain proteins and enzymes to determine if cancerous cells are present or to determine how much cancer is present.
- Biopsy - a procedure in which tissue samples are removed (during surgery) from the body for examination under a microscope to determine if cancer is present.
When testicular tumors are present, the entire tumor, as well as the testicle and spermatic cord, is typically removed to prevent the spread of cancerous cells through the blood and lymph systems.
Staging of testicular cancer
Staging is the process of determining if and how far the cancer has spread. Treatment options are based on the results of the staging. Procedures for determining the stage include the following:
- Computed tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan) - is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.
- Lymphangiography - X-ray images of the lymph system in which dye is injected into a lymph vessel to improve the images. This test is rarely done, as CT scans can often provide the same information about the lymph nodes.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - is a diagnostic procedure that combines large magnets, radio frequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. It is sometimes used to look for the spread of cancer to the brain.
In addition to these imaging procedures, chest X-rays, positron emission tomography (PET) scans or other scans may be requested.
Treatment for testicular cancer
Specific treatment for testicular cancer will be determined by your physician based on:
- Your age, overall health and medical history
- Type of testicular cancer
- Extent and location of the disease
- Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the disease
- Your opinion or preference
There are several kinds of treatments for testicular cancer, including:
- Surgery (to remove the tumor and the testicle, and possibly lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen)
- Radiation therapy (to destroy cancer cells or slow the rate of growth)
- Chemotherapy (drugs are used to destroy cancer cells throughout the body
- High-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation remove stem cells from the patient's or a donor's bone marrow and reinfuse them into the patient to help produce healthy blood cells.