Latest News

What One Should Know About Testicular Cancer

By Elaine Guthrie


Testicular malignant growth affects the testicles which are the organs that produce the male sex hormone. It is a rare form of cancer compared to the others and affects males aged between 15 and 35 years. It is highly treatable even in cases where it has spread beyond the testicles. One may receive several or one treatment depending on the stage and type of testicular cancer. Growths can be identified in time through regular self-examinations. The chances of treatment are highest at this time.

There are various ways of telling if one has the disease. The presence of a lump in the testicles is one of the most common ways to know if one has contracted the condition. There may also be an enlargement of the testicle. There are individuals who feel heaviness of the scrotum. For some, there will be a dull ache within the abdomen and pain within the testicles. There are other symptoms, including tenderness of breasts, back pain and abdominal aches. This cancer affects one testicle only.

The cause of this cancer is not yet very clear. It is brought about when healthy cells of the testicles are altered. As a result, the cells will experience abnormal growth and keep dividing even in instances when there is no need for new cells. They accumulate and finally form a mass. Cancer of the testicles begins from the germ cells. They are the cells that are responsible for production of immature sperms.

Some factors are known to increase the risk of contraction. One of them is when the testis fails to descend after birth. Testes form within the abdominal region during fetal development and are supposed to descend to the scrotum before birth. If either of them fails to descend, the individual will be at greater risk of contracting the condition. This is even in the case where the testicle is relocated surgically.

The condition is genetic. This means that an individual whose family members have suffered from the condition are more at risk. Age is another factor. Those aged between 15 and 35 are more at risk. However, it affects people of all ages. White men are more likely to be affected that black men. Furthermore, any condition that causes abnormal testicle development will increase the chances of contracting the condition.

In some cases the condition will be discovered individually, either intentionally or during examinations. In other cases, the lump is discovered by the doctor during routine checkups. After determination of the presence of the lump, it has to be tested to know if it is cancerous. An ultrasound is one of the options and involves taking images of scrotum which are used to determine if the growth is cancerous.

A blood test may be used to know the level of the tumor marker. The level of the markers in blood increases when one has contracted cancer of the testicles. The testicle that is affected could also be surgically removed to find out of it is cancerous.

Treatment options will depend on various factors. Some of the factors are type of cancer, its stage and overall health of patient. The patient preference is also a consideration. Radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy are treatment options.




About the Author:



0 Response to "What One Should Know About Testicular Cancer"