Testes cancer, or testicular cancer, is a common disease originating in males, especially between the ages of 15-35. Most testicular cancers occur in men under the age of 40. The disease develops in the testicles, which are the male reproductive organs. More than 90% of all cancers come from germ cells, which are either seminomas, or non-seminomas. Seminomas cancers are slow growing and tend to be localized to one area in the testes. Non-seminomas cancers are more cancerous and metastasize (spread) quickly to other parts of the body. When both tumors are present, the cancer is categorized as nonseminomas.
Development stages - Testes cancer
Nonseminomas cancers can be categorized and diagnosed into three development stages, with Stage 1 being the most common and easily treatable:
Stage 1, localized cancer development in the testes;
Stage 2, the cancer has spread to the nearest lymph nodes in the abdomen; and,
Stage 3, the cancer has spread to other organs, for example, lungs, kidneys, and brain.
Testes cancer has one of the highest cure rates among all cancers treated in men if diagnosed during the early stages of disease development. Cure rates are over 90% with effective diagnosis and treatment.
Risk Factors
The cause of testes cancer is unknown. In some case, genetic factors seem to predispose men to this cancer. Men with a history of congenital testicular defects, for example, cryptorchid (undescended) testes have a higher risk of developing the cancer. Other predisposing factors may include a history of mumps and certain types of hernia developing in childhood. However, in the majority of cases, no predisposing or causal relationships can be identified.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of testes cancer is painless enlargement of the testes. A testicular mass or enlargement is found in majority of cases. Sensations of heaviness are also common. Other symptoms may include: blood in seamen during ejaculation, abdominal or groin pain, or fluid build-up in the scrotum.
Diagnosis
Most testes cancers are diagnosed with detection of the above symptoms. Thus, regular physical examinations are essential for early detection and effective treatment outcomes. After testes cancer has been detected, additional testing is required to confirm the initial diagnosis, staging and type cancer, and whether it has metastasized. Other examinations include CT scans, X-rays, blood and laboratory tests, and assessment of biologic markers.
