Testicular Cancer
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 that 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.
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.
At Roswell Park, radiation and medical oncologists team up with urologists to develop a treatment plan tailored to the individual. This collaborative approach means that a majority of patients diagnosed with testicular cancer are cured with surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.
