Testicular Cancer Treatment in Delhi & Gurgaon
Understanding Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Testicular Cancer
Illustration showing testicular anatomy and cancer development
What is Testicular Cancer?
Testicular cancer forms when malignant (cancer) cells develop in the tissues of one or (less commonly) both testicles. Your testicles are two walnut-shaped sex glands that produce sperm and the hormone testosterone.
Like any cancer, testicle cancer is a serious condition. Fortunately, testicular cancer is highly treatable and curable.
What are the types of testicular cancer?
About 90% of all testicular cancer arises from germ cells in your testicles that clump together to form a mass or tumor. Germ cells eventually develop into sperm.
Seminoma
Slow-growing cancer that primarily affects people in their 40s or 50s.
Non-seminoma
Cancer that grows more rapidly than seminomas. Mainly affects people in their late teens, 20s and early 30s.
Non-seminoma Tumor Types
- Embryonal carcinoma
- Yolk sac carcinoma
- Choriocarcinoma
- Teratoma
Note: Some testicular cancer tumors consist of both seminoma and non-seminoma cells.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer?
The most common sign of testicular cancer is a painless lump in your testicle.
Other symptoms include:
- Swelling or sudden fluid build-up in scrotum
- A lump or swelling in either testicle
- A feeling of heaviness in scrotum
- Dull ache in groin or lower abdomen
- Pain or discomfort in scrotum or testicle
- A shrinking testicle (testicular atrophy)
These symptoms can occur with other conditions, too, so don't panic if you notice them. Still, schedule a visit with your provider to be sure. Delays in diagnosis allow cancer cells time to spread, making the disease harder to treat.
What causes testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer develops when cells multiply faster than usual, eventually forming a lump or tumor. Researchers aren't sure what causes cells to behave this way. They do know that the cells that become testicular cancer are usually germ cells.
What are the risk factors for developing testicular cancer?
Several factors may increase your testicular cancer risk. Risk factors don't cause testicular cancer, but they may increase its likelihood of developing.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
Your provider may diagnose testicular cancer after investigating a lump or other change in your testicle you found during a self-exam. Sometimes testicular cancer gets diagnosed during a routine physical exam.
Physical exam
Provider examines testicles and lymph nodes
Ultrasound
Sound waves create images of testicular tissues
Biopsy
Tissue examination under microscope
Surgery
Surgery to remove the cancerous testicle is the most common treatment for testicular cancer, regardless of cancer stage or tumor type. In some cases, your provider may also remove your lymph nodes.
Radical inguinal orchiectomy
Removal of testicle through groin incision. Used for both seminoma and non-seminoma cancers.
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND)
Removal of lymph nodes behind abdominal organs. More common with non-seminoma cancers.
Your provider may also perform surgery to remove tumors that have spread to your lungs or liver.
Prevention
How can I prevent testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer isn't preventable, but you can perform testicular self-exams (TSE) to identify changes in your testicles that you should bring to your provider's attention.
Note: Many providers recommend performing a testicular self-exam monthly.
Key Takeaways
Detection & Symptoms
- • Painless lump in testicle is most common sign
- • Most common in ages 15-35
- • Highly treatable and curable when caught early
- • Monthly self-exams recommended
Treatment & Prevention
- • Surgery is primary treatment
- • Testicular cancer is highly curable
- • Regular self-exams crucial for early detection
- • Report any changes to healthcare provider