About 9,300 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in 2018, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Testicular cancer will also be responsible for about 400 deaths this year, ACS estimates. Fortunately, men who identify the initial signs of testicular cancer can properly diagnose and treat this problem.
April is National Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. At Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles, we strive to educate individuals about testicular cancer and other urological conditions. As part of our efforts, we’re writing blog posts to promote testicular cancer detection and treatment. Now, let’s take a look at some of the warning signs associated with testicular cancer.
5 Testicular Cancer Warning Signs: Here’s What You Need to Know
There are many early signs of testicular cancer. These include:
- A lump or growth in one or both of the testicles
- Dull ache in the abdomen or groin
- Fluid collection in the scrotum
- Discomfort or pain in a testicle or the scrotum
- Tenderness or enlargement of the breasts
If an individual experiences one, some, or all of the aforementioned testicular cancer symptoms, it is important to meet with a doctor immediately. A doctor can provide a testicular cancer diagnosis.
Additionally, after a patient receives a testicular cancer diagnosis, meeting with a urologist is essential. A patient and urologist can work together to determine the best way to treat testicular cancer symptoms.
Why You Need to Identify the Early Signs of Testicular Cancer
If testicular cancer is not found early, it will spread throughout the body. This may happen without an individual experiencing any symptoms. However, in some instances, men may experience one or more of the following symptoms, if testicular cancer begins to spread:
- Lower Back Pain: Occurs when cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in the back of the belly.
- Chest Pain, Cough, or Shortness of Breath: Occurs when cancer spreads to the lungs.
- Belly Pain: Occurs due to enlarged lymph nodes or the spread of cancer to the liver.
- Headaches: Occur due to cancer that spreads to the brain.
Testicular cancer symptoms won’t disappear on their own. Therefore, when it comes to testicular cancer detection and treatment, it is better to err on the side of caution. By meeting with a urologist, an individual can receive proper testing to determine if testicular cancer is present and if it has spread to different areas of the body.
How Is Testicular Cancer Diagnosed?
A urologist requests a patient evaluation to identify and treat testicular cancer in different areas of the body. At this time, a urologist feels a patient’s testicles for swelling or tenderness and evaluates the size and location of any lumps on the testicles. A urologist also examines a patient’s abdomen, lymph nodes, and other parts of the body to identify any potential signs that testicular cancer has spread throughout the body.
If a urologist believes a patient is dealing with testicular cancer, several tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the best course of action. These include:
- Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to produce images of internal organs. An ultrasound is commonly one of the first tests performed by a urologist to identify testicular cancer in the body.
- Blood Tests: Help a urologist identify increased levels of tumor markers in the blood that indicate testicular cancer is present. Blood tests are often used to follow a patient’s response to testicular cancer treatments and help guide treatments.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: Involves X-rays that provide cross-sectional images of the body. A CT scan enables a urologist to determine the stage of testicular cancer and shows if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, or other organs.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scan: Provides images of the brain and spinal cord. An MRI scan is only used if a urologist believes cancer has spread to the brain and spinal cord.
After testicular cancer tests are completed, a urologist provides a patient with the complete results. Then, a urologist recommends testicular cancer treatment options and helps a patient develop an effective treatment program.
Is It Possible to Prevent Testicular Cancer?
Testicular cancer cannot be prevented, and it can affect any man, at any time. Yet scientists have found several risk factors associated with testicular cancer. These risk factors include:
- Undescended Testicle: Men with an undescended testicle are more likely to get testicular cancer than men with normally descended testicles.
- Family History: A man whose father, brother, or another close blood relative experienced testicular cancer may be more prone than others to this type of cancer.
- HIV Infection: Research indicates men infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) face an increased risk of testicular cancer.
- Ethnicity: The risk of testicular cancer among white men is four to five times higher than that of black men and Asian-American men, according to ACS.
Testicular cancer awareness is key. If men understand the risk factors associated with testicular cancer, they could identify this problem before it escalates.
Is It Possible to Identify Testicular Cancer Early?
Checking a man’s testicles is a routine part of a physical examination. Some doctors also recommend a monthly self-exam for early identification of testicular cancer.
A testicular cancer self-exam requires a man to look and feel for any lumps or irregularities on the testicles. If a man notices any abnormalities following a testicular cancer self-check, he should contact a doctor right away. Because the sooner a man identifies testicular cancer, the sooner he can treat this issue.
Select Comprehensive Urology for Testicular Cancer Treatment
Recent ACS data indicates the five-year relative survival rate of patients with localized testicular cancer (occurs when cancer is only in the testicles) is 99%. Meanwhile, this figure falls to 96% for patients with regional testicular cancer (occurs when cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues) and 73% for patients with distant testicular cancer (occurs when cancer has spread to lymph nodes or organs throughout the body). These statistics highlight the importance of early testicular cancer identification and treatment, as well as the value of taking a proactive approach to detect early warning signs of testicular cancer.
At Comprehensive Urology, our team of highly trained urologists helps patients find the optimal treatments for testicular cancer. First, our urologists perform in-depth testing to provide a proper testicular cancer diagnosis. They then discuss all treatment options with a patient and respond to any concerns or questions. Finally, our urologists work with patients to develop personalized testicular cancer treatment programs designed to deliver long-lasting results. To find out more about how we treat testicular cancer, please contact or call us today at (310) 499-2756 to schedule a consultation with one of our courteous, knowledgeable urologists.