Testicular cancer

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer accounts for 1% of all cancers and 5% of cancers in urology. It usually appears between 15 and 35 years of age. Its frequency decreases with age, but it does not disappear and malignant testicular tumours exist in adults and in the elderly. The incidence of this tumour has been increasing in recent years.

Risk factors associated with this tumour are having had cancer in the other testicle or having an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). 10% of testicular tumours are associated with an undescended testicle, and fixing it at an early age has not been shown to reduce this risk.

As with any cancerous process, it may spread throughout the testicle itself, or the disease may spread beyond the testicle and metastasise. In general, the prognosis after treatment is good, and the earlier the diagnosis is made, the better. With surgery and chemotherapy, it can be cured in most cases.

What is a testicular tumour?

Testicular tumours are rare, but occur most often in men aged 15-35 years. It is located in the testicles, which lie within the scrotum, a sac of loose skin beneath the penis.

What are the symptoms of a testicular tumour?

Most commonly, a lump can be felt in the testicle, which is somewhat indurated. There may also be a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum or pain. It may be accompanied by an accumulation of fluid in the scrotum, called a hydrocele, which may mask the lump in the testicle.

She may also have breast enlargement or back pain. Most testicular pain (link testicular pain.) is benign, but you can't miss a tumour that's causing it. See your doctor if you notice pain, swelling or lumps in your testicles or groin area, especially if these signs and symptoms last for more than two weeks.

How is a testicular tumour diagnosed?

Physical examination is essential for diagnosis and to make an approximation of the extent of the tumour. In addition, an ultrasound scan of the testicle should ALWAYS be carried out, as this is what shows the presence of a tumour.

Blood tests with specific markers for the testicle help us to assess the type of tumour, its extent and the best treatment. These markers are: Alpha Fetoprotein (Alpha FP) and Beta Fraction of Choriogonadotropic Hormone (Beta HCG).

An extension study may be necessary to rule out lymph node involvement (tumour lymph nodes) or distant tumours (metastases). Early diagnosis is essential for a good outcome. Early stage testicular tumours usually have a good prognosis, but on the contrary, abandoned and uncontrolled, they spread to the lymph nodes and metastasise easily.

What is the approach to testicular tumours?

Surgery to remove the testicle (radical inguinal orchiectomy) is the main treatment for testicular cancer. To remove the testicle, our specialists make an incision in the groin and remove the entire testicle through the opening.

If it is an aesthetic problem for the patient, we can fit a silicone testicular prosthesis during surgery.

What to expect from testicular removal?

In cases of early-stage testicular cancer, surgical removal of the testicle may be the only treatment necessary. On other occasions, after pathological examination of the tumour, our team of experts together with the oncologists discuss in a session whether it is necessary to add other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

What is cryptorchidism?

Cryptorchidism is the incomplete descent of the testicle into the scrotum (the pouch in which the testicles are housed).

  • Testicular ultrasound.
  • Blood test: Alpha Fetoprotein (Alpha FP) and Beta Fraction of Choriogonadotropic Hormone (Beta HCG).
  • Tumour extension study.
  • Radical inguinal orchiectomy.
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy

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