Testicular cancer: Teens and young men are at risk

Testicular cancer is a common cancer in young men between the ages of 15-39 and one in 2084 men are affected by it, states cansa.org.

The good news, however, is that testicular cancer has one of the highest cure rates of all cancers. The survival rate is very high if diagnosed and treated early, according to Dr Nico Lourens.

Below he answers all you need to know about this type of cancer.

What are the signs or symptoms of testicular cancer?

The majority of patients presenting with testicular cancer are young, healthy males that otherwise have no symptoms. The first sign is usually a lump that is incidentally found in one of the testicles during self-examination or after activities such as playing sports. The problem in testicular cancer lies in this: the cancer may be there and the patient completely unaware of it, for the very fact that is doesn't necessarily cause any pain. In rare cases patients may present with pain in the affected testis, or even signs of involvement outside the testis, such as a cough that doesn't get better, shortness of breath or headache. These symptoms present late in the disease and means it has spread beyond the testis.

What are the common causes of testicular cancer?

We know that family members of men that have testicular cancer, specifically brothers, fathers and sons of those affected, have a higher chance of also having cancer. Furthermore, Caucasian men have a higher chance than African men of being affected. The general incidence of testicular cancer the world over is increasing, and one of the theories that is thought to play a role has to do with chemical and hormone disruptors that men are exposed to in their environment. We also know that men that have testicular cancer have a higher chance of struggling with infertility and vice versa.

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When and where should you seek medical help?

If you feel a lump in your testis, whether it is painful or not, the best advice would be to have it examined by a qualified health care provider as soon as possible. While testicular cancer had a bad prognosis 40 years ago, with modern treatment the overall 5-year survival is more than 90% irrespective of the stage of the disease. The importance lies in not ignoring what your body is telling you, and having it examined as soon as possible. Going to a GP may be sufficient, but if there is any uncertainty making an appointment to see a Urologist is essential.

What are the treatment options?

Generally the treatment consists of a combination of three options: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The majority of patients will have surgery to remove the testis and the tube supplying the testis. Depending on the type of cancer that is found on histology, patients may then also receive chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. There are a few patients that are young and have aggressive types of cancer, and they may proceed to have second-line surgery to remove lymph glands close to the spine that do not respond to chemotherapy or radiation. These cases are the exception and not the norm. Very rarely patients may undergo stem cell transplantation with very high doses of chemotherapy for cancer that has become resistant to treatment.

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How long does treatment take?

The duration of initial treatment may be as short as just having surgery to have the testicle removed, or may last as long as months of chemotherapy and radiation. This depends on the type of cancer as well as the stage at which it was found. One important aspect after the initial treatment has been completed is the monitoring that needs to happen. Patients are usually seen by either the Urologist or Oncologist for up to 5 years after treatment to make sure it does not recur.

How can family members and friends offer support to those suffering from testicular cancer?

Suffering from any form of cancer, especially for a young, healthy man can be a very challenging time. Also, couples that still plan to have a family or are busy trying to have a baby need to consider sperm banking before starting treatment, as this may affect a man’s fertility. Any form of emotional support will help a patient going through this challenging time. Lastly, monthly self-examination in the shower or bath to feel for any suspicious nodule or growth is important so that if a mass develops it is picked-up early.

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Image courtesy of iStock/ Sohel_Parvez_Haque