Women and men of different ages are affected by different kinds of cancers today. Testicular cancer is specific to men and occurs in the testicles, even though it may spread to other organs inside the body. Worldwide statistics from 2013 indicate that over 8, 300 people died as a result of this condition. The deaths recorded in 2013 indicated an increase of 1, 300 deaths from 1990. In the United States, 8000 are diagnosed with the condition every year while 2000 are diagnosed with it in the UK.
The high cure rate of the disease makes the scary news a little bearable. The survival rate after five years is 95% on average. The survival rate after 5 years is 99% if the cancerous cells have not metastasized and 96% if it has not. Cure rate is currently at 80% with chemotherapy.
The condition is named depending on the part of the body where it originated. As such, even if it spreads to the lungs, it is still referred to as cancer of the testes. Research indicates that every male in 200 males is at risk of developing the disorder. This kind of cancer is the most commonly observed among males aged between 20 and 39. It is however very rare among males aged below 15 years.
This condition has very diverse signs and symptoms, but lumps inside the testes is the most characteristic one. People are discouraged from conducting routine screening, even though monthly self-examinations are encouraged. If a family has a history of cancer, its members are encouraged to do this more often. The condition is more frequent among young people and they are advised to do more self-examinations.
Lumps are sometimes painful and appear in one testis most of the times. Further tests are normally conducted based on presence of lumps. Pain in scrotum or abdomen, lower back pain, the scrotum feeling heavy, and breast enlargement are further symptoms. Signs may appear one at a time or many at once. Lumps in the neck and shortness of breath might be experienced if cancerous cells migrate to the lungs.
Hematocele, varicocele, and epididymitis have similar symptoms as the condition, therefore one should exercise caution. Evaluation of any lump occurring in the testes is normally conducted through scrotal ultrasound. The ultrasound determines the characteristics of the lump, which can help in identifying its kind. Some of the characteristics determined include location and size.
Extent of disease and location of metastases is done through a CT scan. Blood tests are also used for identifying the disease. Bloodstream has specific proteins that serve as tumor markers. Blood tests identify these tumor markers. Human chorionic gonadotropin, Alpha-fetoprotein, and LDH-1 are among the commonest proteins used as tumor markers in detecting the disease through blood test. Blood tests may not be very efficient.
Three options for treatment are available. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the major options. The treatments are performed by different professionals. Radiation therapy is performed by radiation oncologists, surgery is done by urologists, while chemotherapy is carried out by medical oncologists. Success is dependent on the time treatment is commenced. Starting treatment early enough assures one of higher success from the treatments.
The high cure rate of the disease makes the scary news a little bearable. The survival rate after five years is 95% on average. The survival rate after 5 years is 99% if the cancerous cells have not metastasized and 96% if it has not. Cure rate is currently at 80% with chemotherapy.
The condition is named depending on the part of the body where it originated. As such, even if it spreads to the lungs, it is still referred to as cancer of the testes. Research indicates that every male in 200 males is at risk of developing the disorder. This kind of cancer is the most commonly observed among males aged between 20 and 39. It is however very rare among males aged below 15 years.
This condition has very diverse signs and symptoms, but lumps inside the testes is the most characteristic one. People are discouraged from conducting routine screening, even though monthly self-examinations are encouraged. If a family has a history of cancer, its members are encouraged to do this more often. The condition is more frequent among young people and they are advised to do more self-examinations.
Lumps are sometimes painful and appear in one testis most of the times. Further tests are normally conducted based on presence of lumps. Pain in scrotum or abdomen, lower back pain, the scrotum feeling heavy, and breast enlargement are further symptoms. Signs may appear one at a time or many at once. Lumps in the neck and shortness of breath might be experienced if cancerous cells migrate to the lungs.
Hematocele, varicocele, and epididymitis have similar symptoms as the condition, therefore one should exercise caution. Evaluation of any lump occurring in the testes is normally conducted through scrotal ultrasound. The ultrasound determines the characteristics of the lump, which can help in identifying its kind. Some of the characteristics determined include location and size.
Extent of disease and location of metastases is done through a CT scan. Blood tests are also used for identifying the disease. Bloodstream has specific proteins that serve as tumor markers. Blood tests identify these tumor markers. Human chorionic gonadotropin, Alpha-fetoprotein, and LDH-1 are among the commonest proteins used as tumor markers in detecting the disease through blood test. Blood tests may not be very efficient.
Three options for treatment are available. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the major options. The treatments are performed by different professionals. Radiation therapy is performed by radiation oncologists, surgery is done by urologists, while chemotherapy is carried out by medical oncologists. Success is dependent on the time treatment is commenced. Starting treatment early enough assures one of higher success from the treatments.
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