Testis Cancer

Men have two testes (also known as testicles) located inside of the scrotum (a sac of loose skin that lies directly under the penis) which produce sperm and male hormones.

Incidence

The American Cancer Society estimates that over 8,000 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in 2008. Cancer of the testis may occur in one or both testes.

Cancer of the testis is the most common cancer in Caucasian men 15 to 40 years old. It is less common in middle-aged and older men. Men who have an undescended testicle (one that never moved down into the scrotum) are at higher risk of developing cancer of the testis. This is true even after corrective surgery.

Signs & Symptoms

The most common symptom of cancer of the testis is a small painless lump in a testicle or a slightly enlarged testicle. It is important that men become familiar with the size and feeling of their normal testicles to detect changes. Other symptoms may include a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, a dull ache in the lower stomach or groin, or a sudden accumulation of blood or fluid in the scrotum.

Screening & Diagnosis

Although it is possible to self-identify a tumor through a testicular self-exam (TSE), it is also important for a primary health provider to check the testicles during your annual exam. Blood tests, CT and MRI scans and biopsies will also be used to diagnose testicular cancer.

Treatment

Surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are used based upon the stage of the tumor. This is a very treatable disease with a high survival rate. Physicians try to preserve fertility when possible. Adult males should save samples of their sperm by "banking" it before treatment. It may also be possible to collect viable sperm from younger, prepubescent males.