Moronacity Health Journal » Men's Health
Testicular Cancer
By Diane Ursu
American cyclist Lance Armstrong had just turned 26 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. “I had ignored the symptoms for months; pain comes with professional cycling, so it was easy to dismiss the soreness in my groin, headaches and difficulty breathing,” Armstrong said in an interview, “Winning the Race,” with NIH MedlinePlus in 2006. “I reluctantly went to the doctor after my testicle had swollen to three times its normal size.”At first, Lance told himself that the symptoms were the result of professional cycling. When he had finally visited the doctor, the cancer had already metastasized to the lungs and brain.
Testicular Cancer Risk Factors
Testicular cancer is different from other cancers in that it affects young men, instead of those in later years. According to the October 3, 2009 article “Testicular cancer,” published by the Mayo Clinic, “Compared with other types of cancer, testicular cancer is rare. But testicular cancer is the most common cancer in American males between the ages of 15 and 34.”
Testicular cancer is more common in Caucasian, or white, men. In their article, “Testicular Cancer: Questions and Answers,” the National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that men are at a greater for cancer if their brother or father has had cancer. Those who have already had testicular cancer, like Lance Armstrong, are at an increased risk of developing cancer in the other testicle.
The other risk factors are related to development. During fetal development, the testicles form in the abdomen and descend into the scrotal sac prior or birth or within the first year of birth. Those with an undescended testicle are at an increased risk for testicular cancer, even if the cryptorchidism was surgically treated.
The embryonic development of the urogenital system includes testicular, urethral, and renal development. If the development of any of the related organs – testicles, penis, kidneys – is abnormal, the person is at risk. According to the NCI, “Those with [an] inguinal hernia (hernia in the groin area, where the thigh meets the abdomen), may be at increased risk.”
Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer
Men should do self-examinations as well yearly physical examinations with a physician. The NCI recommends seeing a physician if any of the following signs or symptoms are present:
- a testicular lump, with or without pain;
- any kind of pain, discomfort, or heaviness in the testicles or scrotum, or an ache in the lower abdomen, back or groin;
- testicular swelling or a change in the way it feels;
- a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum – a hydrocele.
Diagnosing Testicular Cancer
Ultrasound is used to examine the appearance of the testicles and scrotum, as well as any other painful areas or lumps that can be seen with this exam. Blood tests are also used to determine if tumor markers are elevated. Tumor markers are chemicals in the blood that will most likely be abnormally elevated in the presence of cancer.
Treatment for Testicular Cancer
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Surgery to remove your testicle (radical inguinal orchiectomy) is the primary treatment for nearly all stages and types of testicular cancer.” Lymph nodes in the groin may also be removed.
Radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used to kill any cancer cells that may not have been removed during surgery. Radiation therapy involves directing high-energy radiation at the affected parts of the body. Chemotherapy uses drugs.
Frequent follow-up examinations and testing will be done to look for new cancer growths. This may include blood tests, ultrasound, and x-rays.
The fight against testicular cancer can be won. Lance Armstrong did it even after it had metastasized to his brain! Most important, Lance wants people to know that there is life after cancer.
