Testicular cancer is the growth of cells that begins in the testicles (testes). It is not a common type of cancer, but it can happen at any age. Mostly it affects males between the ages of 15 and 45.
With 74,500 new cases worldwide in 2020, testicular cancer is the 20th leading cancer type. In Asian countries, the highest incidence rates of testicular cancer were reported in Turkey (3.2 per 100,000 people), Lebanon (2.4 per 100,000 people), and Kazakhstan (2.4 per 100,000 people).
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What are the Symptoms of Testicular Cancer?
Many patients show symptoms not of testicular cancer but that of a testicle injury or inflammation. These may result in symptoms that are very much similar to that of testicular cancer. Around 75 of 100 men with a lump or swelling in the testicle have cancer.
In some men, the cancer does not show any symptoms at all. The cancer is then diagnosed during medical testing for some other conditions. For example, imaging tests to determine the reason for infertility may discover a small testicular cancer.
The symptoms may be hard to notice in the beginning. Symptoms may include:
- Lump or swelling in the testicle: The first symptom is a lump on the testicle or a swollen or enlarged testicle. Sometimes it might cause pain, but most of the time, they don't. Patients may feel heaviness or aching in the lower belly (abdomen) or scrotum.
- Breast growth or soreness: In rare cases, the breasts grow or become sore. Sometimes tumors can make estrogens (female sex hormones), which causes breast growth or loss of sexual desire.
- Early puberty in boys: In young boys, androgen-producing tumors may cause signs of puberty at an abnormally early age. Early puberty signs may include a deepening voice and facial and body hair growth.
Other symptoms include:
- Orchitis is the inflammation of the testicles
- Epididymitis is the swelling of the epididymis, often treated with antibiotics
- Testicular torsion, the twisting of the testicles, is often treated with surgery
- Inguinal hernia, often treated with surgery
- Hydrocele is when fluid builds up in the scrotum and can be treated with surgery if bothersome
Symptoms of Advanced Testicular Cancer
Many men might not have symptoms immediately but rather have some of the following:
- Low back pain in the back of the belly
- Belly pain
- Headaches or confusion
- Cough (sometimes a bloody cough), shortness of breath, chest pain
See your doctor immediately if you have any of these signs or symptoms. If you wait, the cancer can spread. If you find a lump that lasts longer than two weeks, it would be beneficial to talk to a specialist.
What are the Risk Factors Associated with Testicular Cancer?
Most patients do not have any of the known risk factors. Risk factors for testicular cancer include:
- An undescended testicle
- Family history of testicular cancer
- Carcinoma in situ of the testicle
- HIV infection
- Having had testicular cancer before
- Body size
- Being of a certain race/ethnicity
What Does the Treatment of Testicular Cancer Include?
Many different treatment options are available for patients with testicular cancer. The following are the four different types of treatment options that are standard:
- Surgical removal of the testis (inguinal orchiectomy)
- Chemotherapy makes use of drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells
- Radiation therapy uses X-rays and other types of radiation to kill cancerous cells
- High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant
Cost of Testicular Cancer Treatment in Different Countries
The cost of diagnosing and treating the disease depends on the medical services required to manage the patient successfully, the clinic level of the clinic and the fees of the treating doctor. However, treatment in Turkey, India, and Thailand will cost 30-40% less than in Western European countries.
These countries provide advanced cancer care with the help of cutting-edge technology and under the guidance of skilled and experienced Oncologists.
To Conclude
Testicular cancer is one of the most easily treatable and curable types today. Around 95% of all men with testicular cancer recover if diagnosed early after treatment. If caught early, the odds of beating this cancer are great.
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