Testicular Cancer

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Testicular Cancer

Testes, which are part of the male reproductive system, are two oval glands located at the back of the penis. The testicles produce and store both testosterone and sperm. Testosterone hormone has an effect on facial hair, body muscles and sexual development. Malignant cells form when the cells in the testicle multiply abnormally and uncontrollably. testicular cancer it occurs. 

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the testicles and has the ability to spread to other parts of the body. It is generally more common in young men. Previously in the same family testicular cancer If there is someone who has had this cancer, there is a high probability that this cancer will occur again in those members of the family.

 Although there may be a risk of recurrence, it is said that in cases of testicular cancer diagnosed early, the probability of a successful outcome will be greatly increased. Therefore, it is important for men to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any abnormality in their testicles.

Causes of Testicular Cancer

As with other types of cancer causes of testicular cancer is not fully known. But some risk factors can be mentioned:

  • Age
  • genetic factors
  • undescended testicle
  • Infertility
  • HIV infection
  • Abnormal development of the testicle
  • Testicular inflammation (orchitis)
Age, testicular cancer is one of the most important risk factors. It is generally more common in men in the 15-35 age group. However, it should not be forgotten that the disease can happen to any man.
 
Undescended testicle, also known as cryptorchidism, is one of the risk factors that occurs with age. In this congenital condition, one or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum. Men with undescended testicles have a higher risk of testicular cancer. Therefore, after the age of 1, it can be treated with orchidopexy (surgery to lower the testicles into the bag called scroium).
 
It can be said that the incidence of this cancer is higher in people with a family history of testicular cancer, especially in their first-degree relatives. Although all these risk factors have been identified, there may be cases where testicular cancer does not occur in a man with all risk factors, unlike other risk factors.

testicular cancer

 

Types of Testicular Cancer

Classification of testicular cancer is usually made based on structure and cell type. However, it can be said that the basis of most testicular cancers are germ cells. Germ cell is responsible for almost %1 of all cancer cases. In addition to their function of producing sperm, these cells also play a role in the development of organ tissues within the fetus.

Germ cells are examined in 2 different types:

Seminoma: Although it can affect men of all ages, seminoma, which is generally more common in older men, accounts for about half of all testicular cancers. Treatment is more likely to be successful in these cases because the non-malignant type of seminoma responds more favorably to radiation therapy.

Nonseminoma: Nonseminoma is a type of testicular cancer that usually occurs in young men between the ages of 15 and 30. Cancer cells that grow and spread very quickly are divided into several types. Embryonal carcinoma, yolk sac carcinoma, choriocarcinoma and teratoma are non-seminoma cancers. These subgenres often occur as a mixture of two different species.

How is Cancer Diagnosed?

Patients who notice abnormalities in their testicles should consult a urologist as soon as possible. The urologist performs a detailed physical examination and listens to the patient's history. The doctor will first ask the patient to do an ultrasound and take tumor markers. If the disease is thought to have metastasized, chest radiography, abdominal and lung tomography may be requested. If the testicle needs to be removed surgically, a biopsy is performed and sent for pathology examination.

What are its stages?

It is extremely important to know the stage of the cancer to determine the right treatment.

Stage 0

Stage 0, also known as carcinoma in situ, arises from germ cells. At this stage, cancer cells have not yet spread to the tissues. It is impossible to talk about a palpable mass at this stage, when the patient usually does not show any symptoms. Cancer usually occurs incidentally and is diagnosed definitively through methods such as biopsy.

It is also important to note that carcinoma in situ will not turn into cancer in all cases. For this reason, doctors may prefer to observe for a while before making a treatment plan.

Stage I

At this stage, cancer cells are seen only in the testicles. If cells that are not found in any other tissue or organ are detected at this early time, the testicle is completely surgically removed. .

Stage II

In the second stage, cancer cells may spread to the lower abdominal area. Tumors that have spread to the lymph nodes in the abdominal area can be surgically removed as in the first stage.

Stage III

In the third stage, testicular cancer cells have metastasized. Cancer cells have spread to surrounding tissues and organs as well as lymph nodes. Although metastases are most commonly seen in the lungs, they can also be seen in the liver and rarely in the brain. It can be said that the treatment of cancer diagnosed at this stage will be quite difficult.

What are the treatment methods?

Both the diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer require the removal of the testicle through a surgical procedure called inguinal orchiectomy, performed in the groin.

Surgical

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (surgery to remove lymph nodes in the abdomen) may be recommended for men with advanced-stage or high-risk cancer.

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy drugs can be used to treat cancer cells that have spread outside the testicles. Additionally, chemotherapy may be applied as an additional treatment after surgery in some patients.

Radiation Therapy

For some people, radiation therapy may become a treatment that can be used along with chemotherapy or surgery. In addition, radiation therapy may be used along with chemotherapy in some patients who have metastases or are candidates for surgery.

Testicular Surgery

Usually diagnosed at an early stage testicular cancer Radical inguinal orchiectomy is performed to remove the testicle. Particularly, the presence of cancer cells only in the testicle and not spreading increases the chance of success of this procedure.

The surgery, which involves removing only one testicle, does not cause any complications for the patient. Although some patients believe that infertility or erection problems will occur after removing a single testicle, this is not the case. However, it should be remembered that removing both testicles may cause infertility, and if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the lymph nodes can be removed surgically.

This procedure is performed by making an incision in the abdominal area, and men do not experience erection problems after this procedure. Especially seminoma type testicular cancer In addition to surgical methods, patients may also be given radiation and chemotherapy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Testicular Cancer

1-Where Do Testicular Tumors Metastasize First?
Germ cell cancers of the testicle, except choriocarcinoma, spread via the lymph. Choriocarcinoma metastasizes through the bloodstream and to the lungs, especially in the early stages.

2-Is Men's Sexuality Affected When Their Testicles Are Removed?
Removing a testicle does not make you less sexually active or fertile. Most men can have normal erections after surgery.
 
3-Can Testicular Cancer Be Cured Completely?
The survival rate for patients with testicular cancer is quite high. With definitive treatment of testicular cancer diagnosed at an early stage, the response rate to treatment is very high. Although the treatment process is longer and more difficult in the advanced stages of the disease, there is still a chance of curing the disease if the treatment is effective.
 
4-Can Men Without Testicles Have Children?
In surgery where both testicles are removed, sperm production is permanently stopped. Removing just one testicle to treat testicular cancer may reduce the number of sperm produced by the body. However, men with testicular cancer can have children as long as the remaining testicle continues to produce sperm.
 
5-How Long Does Testicular Cancer Spread?
Cancer cells spread to the inside of the testicle in the first weeks or months. If left untreated, it spreads to other organs in the body over time. It spreads to the lungs, causing symptoms such as coughing up blood, and spreads to the bones, causing symptoms such as bone pain.
 
6-Does Testicular Cancer Recur?

One of the issues that patients who have undergone testicular cancer surgery wonder is whether the cancer will recur. Although testicular tumor is a disease that can recur in the other testicle, it is not a very common problem.

 

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