Testicular Cancer

By Melanie McGrath

Testicular cancer is a disease in which cells become malignant (cancerous) in one of both testicles, the two egg-shaped glands that produce sperm and testosterone (male hormones.) These hormones control the development of the reproductive organs and other male physical characteristics.

There are two different types of testicular cancer. Certain types can cause symptoms in other parts of the body as well. Germ cell tumors are the most common type of testicular cancer. This type of cancer sometimes makes a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin. A high level of HCG can cause a man’s breast to grow larger or become tender. A less common type of testicular cancer is known as a Leydig cell tumor. This type can produce androgens (male sex hormones) or estrogens (female sex hormones). [i]

Testicular cancer occurs most often in men between the ages of 20 and 39, and is the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of fifteen and thirty-four. It is most common in white men, especially those of Scandinavian descent. The testicular cancer rate has more than doubled among white men in the past forty years, but has only recently begun to increase among black men. White men are five to 10 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than African-American men. Latino, Asian-American, and Native American men also develop testicular cancer at higher rates than do African American men, but not at rates as high as white men. In 2007 there was 7,920 new cases diagnosed and 380 deaths in the United States. [ii]

Risk factors include a family history of testicular cancer, being HIV-positive; Klinefelter’s syndrome (a genetic condition that causes underdeveloped testicles) cryptochidism (a condition where the testicle does not descend into the scrotum on its own) or having already had testicular cancer. [iii]

To check yourself you can perform a self-exam. A self-exam is best if performed after a warm bath or shower. Heat relaxes the scrotum; making is easier to spot anything abnormal. The National Cancer Institute recommends the performing this test every month. To perform this test you stand in front of a mirror and check for any swelling on the scrotum skin. Examine each testicle with both hands. Place the index and middle fingers under the testicle with the thumb placed on top. Roll the testicle gently between the thumbs and fingers. Don’t be alarmed if one testicle seems slightly larger than the other. Cancerous lumps usually are found on the sides of the testicle but can also show up on the front. If you find a lump, see a doctor right away. The abnormality may not be cancer, but if it is, the chances are great it can spread if not stopped by treatment. Only a doctor can make a positive diagnosis. [iv]

Most testicular cancers are found by men themselves. Also, doctors generally examine the testicles during routine physical exams. Between regular checkups, if a man notices anything unusual about his testicles, he should talk with his doctor. Men should see a doctor if they notice any symptoms including a painless lump or swelling in a testicle, pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum, any enlargement or change in the way it feels, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, a dull ache in the lower abdomen, back or groin and a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum. These symptoms can be caused by cancer or by other conditions. It is important to see a doctor to determine the cause of any of these symptoms. [v]

There are a few different treatment options one can consider if they find out they do have testicular cancer. The primary option is surgery, which removes your testicle. Chemotherapy treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs travel throughout your body to kill cancer cells that may have migrated from the original tumor. [vi]

Sources:
[i] American Cancer Society (2008) “Do I have Testicular cancer?” http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Do_I_Have_Testicular_Cancer.asp
[ii] National Cancer Institute (2008) “Testicular Cancer” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/testicular/
[iii] University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (2006) “What men should know about Testicular Cancer” http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/cancercenter/testicularcancer/
[iv] U.S. Food and Drug Administration (1996) “How to Examine the testicles” http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52887&page=3#tocg
[v] UrologyChannel (2008) “Testicular Cancer: Symptoms” http://www.urologychannel.com/testicularcancer/symptoms.shtml
[vi] National Cancer Institute (2008) “Treatment Options” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/testicular/Patient/page5