Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 34. But testicular cancer itself is not common; in fact, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates only one in 250 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer during his lifetime. Meanwhile, testicular cancer can be treated successfully, particularly in men who identify this form of cancer in its early stages.
April marks Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, and Comprehensive Urology is providing blog posts designed to teach individuals about testicular cancer and how to identify and treat it. Now, let’s take a look at how a testicular cancer self-exam works and its importance for men around the world.
Testicular Cancer Self-Exam: Here’s What You Need to Know
The Testicular Cancer Society (TCS) recommends men conduct a monthly testicular cancer check after a warm bath or shower. To perform this self-exam, men should first check for any swelling on the scrotal skin. Next, use both hands to examine the testicles. Place the index and middle fingers under the testicle and feel for any lumps or irregularities on the testicle’s skin or surface. Lastly, locate the epididymis (a soft, rope-like structure on the back of the testicle), and check it for any lumps or irregularities.
TCS points out most testicular cancer cases are discovered by men themselves or their partners, while few are found by a physician. The average age of a patient at the time of a testicular cancer diagnosis is 33, according to ACS. Approximately 6% of testicular cancer cases affect children and teens, and about 8% occur in men over the age of 55.
Is a Monthly Testicular Cancer Self-Exam Necessary?
If you perform a monthly testicular cancer self-exam, you may be better equipped than ever before to identify testicular cancer before it spreads throughout the body. At this point, testicular cancer is usually treatable.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) reports roughly 68% of testicular cancer patients are diagnosed during its initial stage. Comparatively, 11% of testicular cancer patients are diagnosed after cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen (retroperitoneal lymph nodes). The survival rate of testicular cancer patients who experience cancer that has spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes is about 96%. However, for men who experience testicular cancer that has spread beyond the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, the survival rate drops to 73%. This indicates the longer testicular cancer goes unaddressed, the greater the risk becomes that cancer could spread throughout the body and become fatal.
Monthly self-exams help men identify the initial signs of testicular cancer. Men can use testicular cancer self-exams to reduce the risk that testicular cancer will spread throughout the body.
What Are the Signs of Testicular Cancer?
If one testicle appears slightly larger than the other during a testicular cancer self-exam, there is no need to worry. It is normal for a man to have testicles of varying sizes. Keep in mind that it is normal for one testicle to hang lower than the other, too.
For those who identify a testicular lump or irregularity during a testicular cancer check, it’s important not to panic. However, it is crucial to go to a doctor right away.
Remember, not all lumps on testicles or irregularities are cancerous. Meet with a doctor to receive a proper testicular cancer diagnosis.
Consulting with a urologist is also beneficial after a testicular cancer self-exam. A urologist can provide insights into all stages of testicular cancer diagnosis and treatment.
How Is Testicular Cancer Diagnosed?
A urologist performs a series of tests to analyze a patient and provides an accurate testicular cancer diagnosis. Common testicular cancer tests include:
- Testicular Ultrasound: Involves the use of sound waves that are bounced off internal organs to produce echoes to capture an image of the testicles. This image then helps a doctor to verify whether a cancerous mass is present.
- Serum Tumor Markers: Involves the use of blood tests to identify substances that are released by different types of testicular cancer.
- Radical Orchiectomy: Involves the use of a small incision in the lower groin to evaluate and remove a testicle that may harbor cancer. If cancer is discovered, additional testing is performed to determine the exact cancer cell type(s).
After a urologist provides a patient with a testicular cancer diagnosis, he or she uses additional tests to determine the stage of cancer and find out whether the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. The two most common tests following a testicular cancer diagnosis are:
- CT Scan: Captures detailed images of a patient’s chest, abdomen, and pelvis. A CT scan enables a doctor to see whether testicular cancer has spread into a patient’s lymph nodes.
- Repeat Tumor Markers: Allows a doctor to determine whether tumor markers have normalized in a patient’s blood. If tumor markers have not normalized after a set amount of time, this indicates a patient may be dealing with persistent cancer in the body.
Following the aforementioned tests, a urologist can determine the stage of testicular cancer in a patient. There are three stages of testicular cancer, and these are:
- Stage 1: Cancer is discovered within the testis.
- Stage 2: Cancer is found within the abdominal lymph nodes.
- Stage 3: Testicular cancer has moved to the chest, bones, brain, or other areas of the body.
A full diagnosis from a urologist is paramount for men who notice testicular lumps or irregularities following a self-exam. After testicular cancer and its stage are confirmed, a patient and urologist then can work together to identify the best treatment option.
How Is Testicular Cancer Treated?
There have been many testicular cancer treatment advancements in recent years. Today, some of the most common testicular cancer treatment options include:
- Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection (RPLND): Involves the removal of the lymph nodes. RPLND may be performed after cancer spreads beyond the testis.
- Chemotherapy: Involves the use of medications to attack cancer cells. Chemotherapy is an early-stage testicular cancer treatment and may be performed in combination with RPLND.
- Radiation Therapy: Involves the use of high-energy radiation beams to target cancer in the groin. Radiation therapy has been shown to be one of the most effective testicular cancer treatments.
The goals of testicular cancer treatment are to help a patient cure the cancer and preserve his quality of life. Additionally, the optimal testicular cancer treatment varies depending on the patient and how much his cancer has progressed.
In certain instances, a doctor may recommend a multi-modal approach to treat testicular cancer as well. The use of surgery and chemotherapy or radiation therapy sometimes helps a testicular cancer patient achieve the best-possible treatment results. For testicular patients who plan to undergo chemotherapy, freezing and storing sperm samples (sperm banking) is strongly recommended.
Receive Expert Testicular Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment from Comprehensive Urology
Testicular cancer is problematic, but this form of cancer is treatable. Yet many men who suffer from testicular cancer fail to diagnose the problem correctly. And in this scenario, the consequences could be fatal.
Comprehensive Urology employs a team of friendly, knowledgeable, and highly trained urologists who are happy to teach patients about all aspects of testicular cancer. Our urologists help patients identify testicular cancer, treat the issue, and determine the best way to prevent it from recurring. To find out more, please contact us today at (310) 499-2756 to schedule a testicular cancer consultation with our one of our expert urologists.