Information From Your Health Care Provider

TESTICULAR CANCER

Basic information

description

Testicular cancer is a growth of malignant cells in the testicle. Testicles are the male sex glands and are located in the scrotum. This cancer can affect all ages, but it is found more often in ages 18 to 32. It is the most common form of cancer in young men.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

A firm swelling in one testicle discovered by accident or by self-examination.
No pain (90% of cases).
Sense of fullness in the scrotum.
A rarer type of the cancer may cause breast tenderness or swelling and loss of sexual desire.
If cancer has spread, there may be back or chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath.

causes

Unknown. There are several types of testicular cancer depending on the cells where it develops. The most common type is called germ cell. It develops in cells that produce sperm. Rarely are both testicles affected.

risk increases with

Undescended testicles in infancy even if the testicle was surgically moved into the scrotum.
White males, especially of Scandinavian descent.
Being a younger male. Men over age 40 are less likely to get this form of cancer.
Personal or family history of testicular cancer.
Klinefelter's syndrome (a congenital disorder).
Testicles that did not develop normally.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Males should examine their testicles routinely at least once a month. This will not prevent the cancer, but the self-exam may detect a tumor early enough for effective treatment. Your health care provider can give you instructions on how to do a self-exam.

expected outcomes

Most types of testicular tumors are curable with early diagnosis and treatment. Surgical removal of one testicle does not interfere with normal sexual function or the ability to have children.

possible complications

Without treatment, cancer may spread to other places in the body.
Cancer recurs or develops in the other testicle.
Patient is more at risk for other forms of cancer.
Treatment-related complications (e.g., infertility due to chemotherapy or radiation).

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider will do a physical exam of the genital area. Different medical tests are usually done to verify the diagnosis and to determine if cancer has spread (called staging).
Treatment often involves surgery (called orchidectomy) to remove the cancerous testicle. Radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy (anticancer drugs) may be prescribed depending on the type and stage of the cancer. Other treatments are being researched.
Some patients may want to arrange to have their sperm frozen in a sperm bank before treatment. This will allow them to produce children (if fertility is lost).
Testicular prosthesis (implants) may be a choice of some patients after surgery. They are made of saline and are implanted in the scrotum to look and feel natural.
To learn more: American Cancer Society; (800) ACS-2345; website: www.cancer.org or National Cancer Institute; (800) 4-CANCER; website: www.cancer.gov.

medications

Chemotherapy may be prescribed.
Pain medicine if needed.

activity

Resume your normal activities as soon as possible. Radiation and chemotherapy may cause temporary fatigue requiring extra rest.
Resume sexual relations when you are able.