One in every 250 men will develop testicular cancer in their lifetime, and the numbers are increasing. The good news: It’s very treatable if caught early and treated correctly.
“Treatment of testicular cancer is a miracle of modern medicine,” says Peter Reisz, MD, a urologic oncologist at RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center. “But it needs to be diagnosed early and treated appropriately.”
While testicular cancer can affect men of all ages, most people diagnosed with testicular cancer are young adults.
“You should know what your normal feels like on self-exam, especially if you’re a teenager or young person,” Reisz says. “And if you notice a change, even if it’s painless, get it checked out quickly. Doctors talk with patients about these kinds of concerns every day, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. This is a safe space, and we’re here to help—getting checked could save your life.”
What is testicular cancer?
Testes, or testicles, produce hormones such as testosterone as well as sperm, one of the cells needed to start a pregnancy.
The most common type of testicular cancer is a germ cell tumor that starts in the cells that make sperm. More than 90% of testicular cancers are germ cell tumors.
About 5% of adult testicular tumors (but up to 20% of childhood testicular cancer) start in the hormone-producing tissues of the testicles. These are called stromal tumors.
Most of the time, the first symptom of testicular cancer is a firm lump or mass on a testicle. Other symptoms may include abnormal breast growth or early puberty.
I’ve found a lump—now what?
So how do you know what to look for? Reisz recommends monthly self-exams to check for any lumps, bumps or changes. If you do find something out of the ordinary, make an appointment with a urologist. It may be something noncancerous, but it could be a tumor.
Reisz recommends seeing a doctor as quickly as possible if you find a lump, feel heaviness or find anything unusual. This may be a primary care physician, the emergency room or a urologist.
The doctor will use imaging tests to look for a tumor. An ultrasound uses sound waves to look inside the scrotum (the sac that holds the testes) for cancerous growth. A blood test for tumor markers will also help the doctor find any signs of cancer.
What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?
About half of all testicular cancers occur between the ages of 20 and 34. But anyone, including infants and older people, can be diagnosed.
Some men are more at risk. If you’re white or Native American, for example, you’re more likely to be diagnosed with testicular cancer than someone who’s Black or Asian American.
Family history can also increase your risk. If your father or brother had testicular cancer, you’re more likely to have it.
A major risk factor for testicular cancer is an undescended testicle. In normal development, the testes fall or descend from the abdomen into the scrotum before birth. Sometimes, the testes do not descend at all or only partially descend. These undescended testicles can be more likely to develop cancer.
Many people with undescended testes have this surgically corrected at a young age. But even after surgical correction, the risk for testicular cancer remains higher.
There’s no evidence that physical trauma to the testes, physical activity or masturbation increases the risk of testicular cancer.
What happens if I’m diagnosed with cancer?
The good news is that the five-year survival rate for all stages of testicular cancer is more than 95%.
If you’ve been diagnosed, your doctor will run tests to understand how far the cancer has spread and create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Treatment for testicular cancer can include:
Removal of the testicle
Surgical removal of lymph nodes
Chemotherapy
Radiation
An important discussion with your doctor is whether or not you need to bank sperm. For most people, according to Reisz, the remaining testicle takes over sperm production and fertility can be preserved. If you can bank sperm, it can be a good insurance policy, but Reisz says it’s not necessarily worth delaying treatment for.
Most people also have normal, healthy sex lives after testicular cancer.
“Testicular cancer does not usually affect sexual function,” says Reisz. “If your testosterone production is low, because the remaining testicle does not produce enough, we can prescribe testosterone to correct any issues due to lower levels of that hormone.”
Treating and thriving
If you’re one of those diagnosed with testicular cancer, it can be scary. With surgery and chemotherapy, most people make a full recovery. And you’re not going through this experience by yourself.
“It’s normal to have a wide range of emotions when diagnosed with cancer,” Reisz says. “But one, this is highly treatable if treated appropriately, and two, we will be there with you all the way through. We know what’s going on and can guide you through the entire process.”
Source: Rush University Medical Center.
