Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer can metastasize, that is it can spread to other parts of the body. During metastasis, cells leave the original tumor and migrate to other parts of the body through blood and lymph vessels, forming a new tumor. Testicular cancer metastasis most often involves the abdomen, lungs and brain. Testicular cancer can spread rapidly and is deadly if left untreated.

Testicular cancer is much more common among white men than black, Hispanic, asian and native American men, with 93% of testicular cancer occurring in white men.

The most likely causes of testicular cancer are hormone-related. Workers in certain occupations are also routinely exposed to chemicals that increase the risk of testicular cancer, for example, leather tanning and aircraft workers can be exposed to dimethylformamide, which causes testicular cancer.
Most often the patient notices the warning signs of testicular cancer during a testicular self-examination. Occasionally the cancer is discovered by a sexual partner, after an injury, or while diagnosing infertility.

Advanced testicular cancer can be accompanied by:

• Back pain
• Chest pain, coughing or difficulty breathing
• Significant weight loss
• Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts

All men age 15 and up should conduct testicular self-exams
The most common method of diagnosing testicular cancer is through a testicular ultrasound.

The first step in treatment is usually an orchiectomy. An ochiectomy is an outpatient procedure, during which you go into the hospital in the morning and leave in the afternoon with a bag of ice and some painkillers. The orchiectomy itself takes only about 15-30 minutes; the rest of the time is for anesthesia and recovery.

For more information click here.