The Truth About Testicular Cancer: An Overview and FAQ
Men in their 30s are at the prime of life. They’re also at a peak age for testicular cancer. This blog explains the symptoms, how to self-examine, and answers some frequently asked questions.
Believe it or not, testicular cancer is the leading cancer in males between 15 and 44 years old, with the average age of diagnosis being 33. Yet it is also pretty rare; just one in every 250 men is diagnosed annually.
That might explain why the disease is surrounded by myths, such as it’s an “older man’s” disease.
The good news is that if you have testicular cancer, you have an excellent prognosis. The American Cancer Society estimates 95% to 99% of testicular cancer cases are curable when caught early. And just one in every 5,000 men is at risk of dying from the disease.
The first step toward outliving testicular cancer is to understand more about it. April is an easy time to start: It’s Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, a campaign to promote the signs, risks, and self-detection of the disease.
What is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer develops the same way other cancers do: From cells that begin to multiply abnormally and uncontrollably, growing into a tumor that invades tissue.
In the testicles, the cells most likely to form into cancer are called germ cells, and they make sperm. The male body produces the most sperm when men are young, so these cells tend to be more active then, introducing the risk of abnormal cell activity.
What are the types of testicular cancer?
More than nine in 10 testicular cancers develop from germ cell tumors, of which there are two main types:
- Seminoma – This tumor grows more slowly than non-seminoma cancer and develops mainly in men ages 25 to 45. A blood test can diagnose the disease by measuring the level of a tumor marker called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) that seminomas produce.
- Non-seminoma – This faster-growing tumor often develops from a mix of four germ cell subtypes, most of which make proteins or other substances that can be measured in a blood test. Non-seminomas tend to strike males in their late teens to early 30s.
Seminoma and non-seminoma testicular cancers occur equally, according to the American Cancer Society, and it’s not unusual for a tumor to contain a mix of both seminoma and non-seminoma cells.
Who is at risk of developing testicular cancer?
Researchers aren’t certain why some germ cells form into cancer, and most risk factors are beyond your control. These factors include:
- Abnormal testicle development.
- One or two undescended testicle(s).
- Family history of the disease.
- Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic condition that lowers testosterone production.
- An HIV infection.
You might be free of these risks, but that doesn’t make you cancer-proof, especially if you are between the ages of 15 and 45.
What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?
The most common symptoms of testicular cancer include:
- Pain in the testicle, scrotum, or groin (although not always).
- A lump or swelling in the testicle, which may be painless.
- A teste that feels different or is enlarged.
- A dull ache in the lower back and/or abdomen (often in cases where the cancer has spread).
The most effective way to check for these symptoms is through a monthly self-examination.
How do you perform a testicular self-examination?
More than one-third of men have never examined their own testicles, potentially leaving symptoms undetected while the cancer grows. Yet the process is so easy, and it takes just a couple of minutes. Here’s how to perform a self-exam:
- Take one testicle and cup it in both hands.
- Applying a little pressure, roll the testicle between your fingers and thumbs.
- Familiarize yourself with the tube-like cords behind and above the testicle. These tubes, your vas deferens and epididymis, collect and carry sperm.
- Now look and feel for lumps or other notable inconsistencies in shape, size, and texture, keeping in mind that it’s normal for one testicle to be a bit larger than the other.
- Cup the next testicle in both hands and repeat these steps.
Pro tip: Perform your self-exams after getting out of the shower, when your scrotum is relaxed.
What do you do if you think you may have testicular cancer?
If a self-exam reveals signs of testicular cancer, act fast: When caught at Stage 1 (within the teste), testicular cancer is cured up to 99% of the time. Treatment starts with a diagnosis, usually through a blood sample and imaging tests such as a CT scan, MRI, and/or ultrasound, to narrow down the type of tumor and cancer stage.
What treatment options are there for testicular cancer?
While most testicular tumors require surgical removal through a small incision (an orchiectomy), post-surgical care will depend on the type of cancer and its stage. These treatments include a range of radiation therapies and/or chemotherapy. For early-stage cancer, your doctor might limit follow-up care to surveillance through regular exams.
After treatment, you should expect to get back to your “old” young self. A prosthesis can replace your removed testicle, and your healthy testicle should produce enough testosterone to maintain your sex drive. (In cases of hormone-related side effects, medications can be prescribed.)
Have more questions? Learn about testicular cancer care here. If you think you may have testicular cancer, we urge you to make an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible. He or she can refer you to a specialist, such as those at Spokane Urology. Learn more about our referral process here or call 509-747-3147.
