Today, cancer is a disease that is claiming lives of men and women of various ages at an increasing rate. Testicular cancer is specific to the testicles, but it the abnormal cells may migrate to other organs. The condition killed 8, 300 people on a global scale according to the statistics from 2013. The deaths record in 2013 was an increase from that of 1990 by 1, 300 deaths. In the US, number of men diagnosed with the disease annually is 8000, while in the UK it is 2000.
The news is scary, but no need to be afraid because this cancer has the highest rate of cure. Survival rate after 5 years is averaged to be 95%. If the abnormal cells have not moved to other organs, five-year survival rate rises to 99%, but if it has, it reduces to 96%. Currently, chemotherapy gives 80% cure rate.
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.
The signs and symptoms of this condition are normally very diverse, but the most characteristic one is a lump inside the testes. Routine screening for the disorder is discouraged, although monthly self-examinations are encouraged. This is more encouraged for people with a family that has a history of the disease. Young men are at a higher risk of developing the problem and should perform a self-examination more often, normally at monthly intervals.
Normally lumps occur in one testis and my come with pain or not. Presence of lumps makes doctors to conduct further tests. Additional symptoms that occur commonly include painful scrotum or abdomen, breast enlargement, the scrotum feeling heavy, and lower back pain. Signs come one at a time or several at once. Cancerous cells may spread to the lungs and when that happens, shortness of breath and lumps in the neck may be experienced.
Symptoms can sometimes be very confusing especially since epididymitis, varicocele, and hematocele have the same signs. Lump evaluation is performed through scrotal ultrasound. The type of lump is determined by the characteristics identified by the ultrasound. Location and size of tumor are among the characteristics identified.
A CT scan is used to determine the extent of the disease and locate metastases. Another method of identifying this disease is by performing blood tests. The tests are meant to identify and measure tumor markers in form of specific proteins present in bloodstream. Human chorionic gonadotropin, LDH-1, and Alpha-fetoprotein are some of proteins that are characteristic tumor markers used in the detection of this disease through blood test.
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 news is scary, but no need to be afraid because this cancer has the highest rate of cure. Survival rate after 5 years is averaged to be 95%. If the abnormal cells have not moved to other organs, five-year survival rate rises to 99%, but if it has, it reduces to 96%. Currently, chemotherapy gives 80% cure rate.
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.
The signs and symptoms of this condition are normally very diverse, but the most characteristic one is a lump inside the testes. Routine screening for the disorder is discouraged, although monthly self-examinations are encouraged. This is more encouraged for people with a family that has a history of the disease. Young men are at a higher risk of developing the problem and should perform a self-examination more often, normally at monthly intervals.
Normally lumps occur in one testis and my come with pain or not. Presence of lumps makes doctors to conduct further tests. Additional symptoms that occur commonly include painful scrotum or abdomen, breast enlargement, the scrotum feeling heavy, and lower back pain. Signs come one at a time or several at once. Cancerous cells may spread to the lungs and when that happens, shortness of breath and lumps in the neck may be experienced.
Symptoms can sometimes be very confusing especially since epididymitis, varicocele, and hematocele have the same signs. Lump evaluation is performed through scrotal ultrasound. The type of lump is determined by the characteristics identified by the ultrasound. Location and size of tumor are among the characteristics identified.
A CT scan is used to determine the extent of the disease and locate metastases. Another method of identifying this disease is by performing blood tests. The tests are meant to identify and measure tumor markers in form of specific proteins present in bloodstream. Human chorionic gonadotropin, LDH-1, and Alpha-fetoprotein are some of proteins that are characteristic tumor markers used in the detection of this disease through blood test.
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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