testicular cancer: the most common cancer diagnosed in young men
treatment for testicular cancer can include chemotherapy, radiation or surgery to remove the testicle.
3 minute read
some of the signs of testicular cancer include a painless lump in the testicle, swelling that makes one testicle appear larger than the other, or a dull ache in the scrotum or testicles. getty
testicular cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the testicles begin to divide and grow in an uncontrolled manner. the testicles (or testes) are two egg-shaped organs located in the scrotum that are responsible for producing sperm and hormones, such as testosterone. if the abnormal cells within the testes are cancerous, they can spread and form tumours that destroy healthy tissue in the surrounding area and metastasize to other areas of the body.
according to the canadian cancer society, the vast majority of testicular cancer cases begin in germ cells that eventually become sperm. two forms of cancer develop from these cells: seminoma (slow-spreading cancers that generally affect patients in their 40s and 50s) and non-seminoma (fast-moving cancers mainly diagnosed in patients between their teenage years and their early 30s).
testicular cancer is rare compared to other cancers, but it is one of the most common forms of the disease diagnosed in young men. fortunately, this cancer is highly treatable, even if it has already spread to other areas of the body.
symptoms of testicular cancer
there may not be any symptoms early in the course of testicular cancer but when they do appear, signs of the disease can include:
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- a painless lump in the testicle
- swelling that makes one testicle appear larger than the other
- a dull ache or feeling of heaviness in the scrotum or testicles
- pain in the abdomen or back
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- breast soreness or swelling in the chest
- enlarged lymph nodes on the back of the neck
- fluid buildup in the scrotum or around the lungs
- a cough (sometimes with the presence of blood)
- chest pain
- difficulty swallowing
- unintentional weight loss
- the onset of puberty at an earlier age than expected
- infertility
- headaches
diagnosing testicular cancer
in some cases, patients discover the presence of a lump during a self-examination but it is more commonly detected during a routine examination by a doctor. according to the mayo clinic, there are a number of tests that may be performed to determine if a lump is cancerous, including:
- ultrasound: technicians use soundwaves to provide more information on a lump, including whether it is solid or filled with fluid. it can also reveal if a lump is inside or outside of a testicle
- blood tests: the level of tumour markers in the blood can assist diagnosis
- surgery to remove a testicle: if doctors believe cancer is present, a testicle may be removed. lab tests can then confirm the presence and type of cancer
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if cancer is suspected, doctors may also perform a ct scan and more blood tests to determine the stage of the disease. this information can help inform treatment.
treating testicular cancer
addressing testicular cancer depends on a number of variables, including the type and stage of cancer and the overall health and preference of a patient. options include:
- surgery to remove the testicle: the primary form of treatment, particularly in the early stages. surgeons can remove a testicle and replace it with a saline-filled prosthetic, if desired
- surgery to remove lymph nodes in the area: doctors take care to avoid damaging sensitive nerves in the area as this can lead to fertility issues, such as difficulty ejaculating
- radiation therapy: high-powered energy beams are used to destroy cancer cells, usually in cases of seminoma — or slow-spreading — testicular cancer. this form of treatment can cause fertility issues and it may be advised to preserve sperm beforehand
- chemotherapy: powerful drugs are used to kill cancer in the testes and anywhere else in the body it may have spread. this treatment can lead to infertility that may be permanent
preventing testicular cancer
unfortunately, there is currently no way to avoid a testicular cancer diagnosis.
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prevalence of testicular cancer
it is estimated that around 1,200 canadian men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022, with around 35 dying from the disease.
support for testicular cancer
for more information about testicular cancer, including support services for the newly diagnosed, visit the canadian cancer society.
dave yasvinski is a writer with healthing.ca
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