Testicular cancer mainly affects younger men. However, this malignant tumor disease can be treated well if detected early. The chances of recovery are very good. Surgeons usually remove the affected testicle. Under certain circumstances, additional chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be useful.
You can find further information and selected testicular cancer specialists and centers here.
Testicular cancer is a malignant tumor disease. It develops in one of the testicles and can also spread to the vas deferens and epididymis as the disease progresses.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men, but is curable in the majority of patients. Testicular cancer only accounts for around 1.6 percent of all new cases of cancer and is therefore comparatively rare.
Testicular cancer can manifest itself through various symptoms, such as
A hardening within the scrotum is one of the most common symptoms of testicular cancer. The surface of the testicle feels bumpy or nodular.
If one of the testicles enlarges, this can be a sign of testicular cancer. This applies to around 70 percent of people who are diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Such an increase in size can be explained either by tumor growth or an accumulation of fluid. Due to the increase in size, patients describe that the affected testicle feels heavy.
Pain only occurs in ten to 15 percent of testicular cancer patients. Pain in the testicles is therefore rarely the first sign of testicular cancer.
If pain does occur, it may be caused by the growing testicular tumor. However, bleeding in the cancerous tissue can also lead to pressing or stabbing pain.
Cross-section through a testicle showing tumor growth © Crystal light | AdobeStock
Medicine has not yet been able to definitively clarify the causes of testicular cancer.
However, there is a connection between testicular cancer and undescended testicles. Men who are diagnosed with undescended testicles or who had them in childhood appear to develop testicular cancer more often.
There is no specific method for detecting testicular cancer. For this reason, it is important that men regularly examine their scrotum for changes. If there is pain in one or both testicles, the patient should consult a doctor.
The urologist will examine the testicles and clarify possible risk factors with the patient. This is followed by an ultrasound examination of the testicles and abdominal organs. With the help of this examination, the doctor can visualize a possible tumour.
The diagnosis of testicular cancer can ultimately only be ruled out or confirmed with a tissue sample . In this case, the doctor will remove testicular tissue as part of a minor surgical procedure and send it to the laboratory for examination.
At an advanced stage, metastases (metastases) can occur in distant organs. Additional imaging procedures, such as MRI or CT, are then necessary. This allows the doctors to clarify exactly where metastases have formed. These must also be treated.
As a rule, treatment for testicular cancer begins with an operation on the affected testicle. The stage of the disease then determines the further treatment.
First, the surgeon removes the entire testicle(radical orchiectomy) in order to remove malignant tissue.
It depends on the type of testicular tumor and the progression of the cancer as to which treatment options are followed by surgery.
If testicular cancer is detected at an early stage of the tumor, surgery itself is often sufficient. However, the patient should attend regular follow-up appointments with the doctor so that a possible relapse can be detected in good time.
Despite modern examination and surgical procedures, micrometastases (very small metastases) can be overlooked. However, this only happens very rarely. For this reason, even in the early stages of testicular cancer, radiotherapy or chemotherapy should be considered after surgery.
If the cancer has already spread, radiotherapy following the operation is mandatory.
If distant metastases have already formed or the lymph node involvement is extensive, chemotherapy is unavoidable.
The course of treated testicular cancer is favorable in most cases, especially if it is detected in good time. No other cancer has a better prognosis than testicular cancer. A permanent cure is almost always possible if the malignant testicular tumor is confined to the testicle.
Even if metastases have already formed, testicular cancer has a good chance of being cured. A clear majority of those affected recover completely and can lead a normal life.
At an advanced stage, however, testicular cancer may require more drastic treatment. Some side effects may occur. These include
This can lead to male infertility. However, affected men do not have to fear a lack of potency and thus permanently impaired sexuality.
Testicular cancer cannot be prevented. According to current findings, environmental factors and lifestyle do not play a role in the development of malignant testicular tumors. As testicular cancer can be treated particularly well if diagnosed early, early detection is very important.
It is recommended that men regularly palpate their testicles. Doctors recommend performing such a self-examination once a month between the ages of 15 and 45. This is particularly important for men who suffer from undescended testicles or a family history of undescended testicles. They have an increased risk of testicular cancer.
A self-examination of the testicles is a good idea when taking a bath or shower, for example. The water makes the skin of the scrotum softer and more comfortable to palpate.
Take a relaxed position for the examination and feel your testicles:
Testicular cancer is a relatively rare cancer that mainly affects younger men.
There is no specific prevention against testicular cancer. The causes of testicular cancer have not yet been conclusively clarified in medicine.
The treatment for testicular cancer is always surgery and removal of the affected testicle. In principle, the chances of curing testicular cancer are good to very good - even in advanced stages of the disease.
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