The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow, divide and then die. Sometimes, cells mutate (change) and begin to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells. Rather than dying, these abnormal cells clump together to form tumors. If these tumors are cancerous (also called malignant tumors), they can invade and kill your body’s healthy tissues. From these tumors, cancer cells can metastasize (spread) and form new tumors in other parts of the body. By contrast, noncancerous tumors (also called benign tumors) do not spread to other parts of the body.
Causes
Although the exact cause of testicular cancer is unknown, several factors seem to increase risk. These include a past medical history of undescended testicle(s), abnormal testicular development, Klinefelter’s syndrome (a sex chromosome disorder that may be characterized by low levels of male hormones, sterility, development of breasts, and small testes), or previous testicular cancer.
Other factors are under investigation as possible causes. They include exposure to certain chemicals and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A family history of testicular cancer may increase risk. There is no link between vasectomy (an operation to cause sterility) and elevated risk of testicular cancer.
Symptoms
The main symptom of testicular cancer is a lump, irregularity or swelling in one testicle. Other symptoms that may be present include:
a pulling sensation or feeling of unusual heaviness in the scrotum
a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen
pain or discomfort (which may come and go) in the testicle or scrotum
Testicular Cancer Treatment:
Unfortunately, even early stage testicular cancer usually requires removal of the affected testicle. The remaining treatment varies based on the type and stage of the cancer. For some types, follow on radiation treatment is recommended…for others, chemotherapy. Often, testicular cancer treatment results in infertility. At the mid to later stages, more invasive surgery is required, including removal lymph nodes, surrounding tissue. In some cases, the cancer may spread to lung, brain and other organs. Treatment options at that point depend on location and severity of the tumors.
Surgery – It is required to remove the lump and nearby lymph nodes. (Lymph nodes are located in the abdomen or groin area.) Removal of the testicle does not affect fertility or the ability to have an erection because the other testicle is still intact.
Radiation Therapy - This treatment uses high-dose X-rays or other high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells.
Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancer cells outside the testicle. This drug therapy is usually given by infusions into your veins or can be given orall
The risk factors for testicular cancer
The exact causes of testicular cancer are not known. However, studies have shown that several factors increase a man’s chance of developing this disease.
Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism): Normally, the testicles descend from inside the abdomen into the scrotum before birth. The risk of testicular cancer is increased in males with a testicle that does not move down into the scrotum. This risk does not change even after surgery to move the testicle into the scrotum.
