Doctor K: Testicular cancer one of curable kinds
DEAR DOCTOR K: I’m in my 30s. A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. What should I know about this cancer? Should I be screened for it?
DEAR READER: Testicular cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both testicles (testes). Nearly all testicular cancers start in germ cells. These are the cells that make sperm.
The testicles are located in the scrotum, behind the penis.
But testicular cancer strikes young men, usually between the ages of 20 and 35 years.
The biggest risk factor for the disease is an undescended testicle. Before birth, a boy’s testicles develop in the lower abdomen. They travel down into the scrotum during the seventh month of fetal development. A small percentage of boys are born with one testicle that failed to descend into the scrotum. Doctors can perform surgery to fix this problem. This surgery is usually done before age 2.
The brothers or sons of men with testicular cancer are at much higher risk for developing it themselves. I strongly advise any first-degree male relative of a patient with testicular cancer to examine themselves every several months, and have their doctor examine them at least every year.
The main symptom of testicular cancer is a gradual enlargement of the testicle. It loses its spongy texture and becomes abnormally firm. Some men notice a lump or mass in the testicle, which is usually painless. Some men experience a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen.
Most of the time, men detect the mass or enlargement on their own. Or their sexual partner notices it.
Once testicular cancer develops, it is likely to spread within or beyond the testicles if it is not treated.
Treatment depends on a person’s overall health, the type of testicular cancer and its stage. If the cancer is caught early, surgery to remove the testicle may be enough. In other cases, additional treatment with radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be needed.
Today, testicular cancer is one of the most curable cancers.