Cancer of the testicles affects the testes. These are the organs that produce the male sex hormones. It is a more rare form of cancer when compared to other types and mostly affects males aged between 15 and 35 years of age. Fortunately, it is a highly treatable condition even in instances when it has spread to other parts of the body. One or several treatments may be enough depending on the type of testicular cancer and the stage. The growth can be identified in a timely manner through medical examination.
There are various ways of telling if one has the disease. The presence of a lump in the testicles is one of the most common ways to know if one has contracted the condition. There may also be an enlargement of the testicle. There are individuals who feel heaviness of the scrotum. For some, there will be a dull ache within the abdomen and pain within the testicles. There are other symptoms, including tenderness of breasts, back pain and abdominal aches. This cancer affects one testicle only.
The cause of this cancer is not yet very clear. It is brought about when healthy cells of the testicles are altered. As a result, the cells will experience abnormal growth and keep dividing even in instances when there is no need for new cells. They accumulate and finally form a mass. Cancer of the testicles begins from the germ cells. They are the cells that are responsible for production of immature sperms.
There are some factors that increase the risk of contracting the condition. One of them is when a testicle fails to descend. Testes usually form in the abdominal area during development of the fetus and descend into the scrotum prior to birth. Men whose testicle did not descend are at greater risk of this form of cancer than those who had theirs descend normally. The risk remains high even if the testis is surgically relocated.
The condition runs in the family. Therefore, an individual whose family members have suffered from the condition will be at greater risk. The other factor is age, with men between 15 and 35 more at risk. This does not however mean that people of other ages are not affected. Black men are not as likely to be affected as white men. Any condition causing abnormal testicle growth increases the chances of growth.
In some cases, men will discover the condition on their own. This can happen intentionally when they look out for the symptoms or during self examination. In others cases, a doctor may notice the growth during regular checkup. Tests must be carried out to determine whether the lump is cancerous or not. One way to do this is through the use of ultrasound that involves taking images of the testicle.
A blood test may be used to know the level of the tumor marker. The level of the markers in blood increases when one has contracted cancer of the testicles. The testicle that is affected could also be surgically removed to find out of it is cancerous.
Treatment is dependent on different factors. Type of cancer, its stage, overall health of individual and preference are some of the factors. Treatment can be done through chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy.
There are various ways of telling if one has the disease. The presence of a lump in the testicles is one of the most common ways to know if one has contracted the condition. There may also be an enlargement of the testicle. There are individuals who feel heaviness of the scrotum. For some, there will be a dull ache within the abdomen and pain within the testicles. There are other symptoms, including tenderness of breasts, back pain and abdominal aches. This cancer affects one testicle only.
The cause of this cancer is not yet very clear. It is brought about when healthy cells of the testicles are altered. As a result, the cells will experience abnormal growth and keep dividing even in instances when there is no need for new cells. They accumulate and finally form a mass. Cancer of the testicles begins from the germ cells. They are the cells that are responsible for production of immature sperms.
There are some factors that increase the risk of contracting the condition. One of them is when a testicle fails to descend. Testes usually form in the abdominal area during development of the fetus and descend into the scrotum prior to birth. Men whose testicle did not descend are at greater risk of this form of cancer than those who had theirs descend normally. The risk remains high even if the testis is surgically relocated.
The condition runs in the family. Therefore, an individual whose family members have suffered from the condition will be at greater risk. The other factor is age, with men between 15 and 35 more at risk. This does not however mean that people of other ages are not affected. Black men are not as likely to be affected as white men. Any condition causing abnormal testicle growth increases the chances of growth.
In some cases, men will discover the condition on their own. This can happen intentionally when they look out for the symptoms or during self examination. In others cases, a doctor may notice the growth during regular checkup. Tests must be carried out to determine whether the lump is cancerous or not. One way to do this is through the use of ultrasound that involves taking images of the testicle.
A blood test may be used to know the level of the tumor marker. The level of the markers in blood increases when one has contracted cancer of the testicles. The testicle that is affected could also be surgically removed to find out of it is cancerous.
Treatment is dependent on different factors. Type of cancer, its stage, overall health of individual and preference are some of the factors. Treatment can be done through chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy.
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