What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in men between the ages of 15 to 35 years. Fortunately, it is one of the most curable cancers due to early diagnosis, new techniques for treatment and a greater understanding of the nature history of the disease.

The probability that an American white male will get testicular cancer in his lifetime is approximately 0.2 percent. The incidence of testicular tumors in African Americans is much less than that in American whites. While most tumors occur in late adolescence or early adulthood, tumors are also seen in infancy and in patients over the age of 60.

There does not appear to be a great genetic predisposition for testicular cancer to develop in family members. Testicular cancer usually occurs in one testicle; however, two to three percent of tumors can occur in both testicles, either simultaneously or at a later date.
 
There are several different types of testicular cancers, with seminoma being the most common:
 
• Seminoma
• Embryonal carciroma
• Teratocarcinoma
• Teratoma
• Pure carcinoma

The type of tumor determines its biological behavior, which means a precise diagnosis is important in making treatment recommendations. It is not unusual to have multiple cell types in a given testicular cancer.
 
Some testicular tumors produce proteins - called tumor markers - which can be detected in the blood. The two most common tumor markers produced by testicular cancer are alphafetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). If testicular tumors are removed and there is persistent elevation of one of these tumor markers, it is generally an indication that there is a tumor remaining in the patient.
 
For most patients, the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include a mass or a pain or swelling in one testicle. Acute pain is present in about 10 percent of patients. In a small percentage of patients, the first symptom are from metastases, including neck mass, problems with breathing (cough or shortness of breath), difficulty eating, abdominal pain, back pain or pain in the bones. Five percent of patients may have swelling of the breast area due to a hormonal affect from the tumor.

Early detection is important, so an annual testicular examination by a physician as part of a routine check-up is often performed.  Some physicians recommend monthly self-examination. When performed, testicular self-exam is best done in a warm shower. Any suspicious areas should be examined by a physician.