Monday, April 27, 2015

Basic Information On Testicular Cancer

By Toni Vang


There are many different types of cancers that are currently affecting both men and women of different ages. Testicular cancer is a form of cancer that occurs in the testicles, although it can spread to other parts within the body. Statistics from 2013 showed that 8, 300 people died of this condition worldwide. This was an increase of 1, 300 from 1990. Annual diagnosis per year is at 8000 in the US and 2000 in UK.

The news is scary, but no need to be afraid because this cancer has the highest rate of cure. Survival rate after 5 years is averaged to be 95%. If the abnormal cells have not moved to other organs, five-year survival rate rises to 99%, but if it has, it reduces to 96%. Currently, chemotherapy gives 80% cure rate.

The area of origin of the condition in the body determines the name it is given. Because of that, even if cancerous cells spread to others parts of the body like the lungs, it is still called and treated as cancer of the testes. Research findings indicate that one out of 200 males is at risk of developing the disease. The cancer is the most prevalent one among males between the age of 20 and 39. Males below 15 years rarely develop the condition.

The signs and symptoms of this condition are normally very diverse, but the most characteristic one is a lump inside the testes. Routine screening for the disorder is discouraged, although monthly self-examinations are encouraged. This is more encouraged for people with a family that has a history of the disease. Young men are at a higher risk of developing the problem and should perform a self-examination more often, normally at monthly intervals.

Normally lumps occur in one testis and my come with pain or not. Presence of lumps makes doctors to conduct further tests. Additional symptoms that occur commonly include painful scrotum or abdomen, breast enlargement, the scrotum feeling heavy, and lower back pain. Signs come one at a time or several at once. Cancerous cells may spread to the lungs and when that happens, shortness of breath and lumps in the neck may be experienced.

Symptoms can sometimes be very confusing especially since epididymitis, varicocele, and hematocele have the same signs. Lump evaluation is performed through scrotal ultrasound. The type of lump is determined by the characteristics identified by the ultrasound. Location and size of tumor are among the characteristics identified.

A CT scan is used to determine the extent of the disease and locate metastases. Another method of identifying this disease is by performing blood tests. The tests are meant to identify and measure tumor markers in form of specific proteins present in bloodstream. Human chorionic gonadotropin, LDH-1, and Alpha-fetoprotein are some of proteins that are characteristic tumor markers used in the detection of this disease through blood test.

Options for treatment are three. The options are radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. Specialists who perform these treatments are different. Radiation therapy is done by radiation oncologists, chemotherapy is done by medical oncologists, while surgery is performed by urologists. The time treatment starts determines success.




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