Testicular cancer is the most common malignant tumor among young men in the world. Although its prevalence has gradually increased since the 1980s, mortality from it seems to be declining. Thus, most men who suffer from it survive and even recover. In the distant past, when medicine was not so advanced, testicular cancer was considered a serious disease with high chances of mortality, but like many other fields of medicine, the way of treatment completely changed the picture.
In principle, the reasons for the development of testicular cancer are unknown, but over the years they have been able to identify several common factors such as genetic predisposition, congenital genetic syndromes, fertility problems, undescended testicles, and more. In addition, men who have recovered from testicular cancer are at high risk, especially between the ages of 15-40 and after the age of 60.
How is testicular cancer diagnosed?
One of the first signs of testicular cancer is a lump or swelling that accumulates in one of the testicles. However, there are medical conditions such as cysts, for example, that may also be accompanied by pain. In addition to this, there are a few other signs that can be noticed:
- The appearance of a lump or hardening in one of the testicles
- One testicle suddenly expands compared to the other testicle
- There is a feeling of heaviness in one of the testicles
- A dull pain is felt in the lower abdomen or groin
- There is fluid accumulation in the scrotum
It is important to note that each of these signs can also indicate the presence of other diseases, such as inflammation of the testicles, inflammation of the testicular veins, infections and inflammation of the bladder and kidneys, and more. For this reason, as soon as there is a suspicion, it is recommended to be examined by a doctor as soon as possible. As mentioned, the main way to diagnose the Testicular Cancer It is due to the identification of a lump in the testicle, but of course it is recommended to be attentive to the body and come for an examination as soon as even the slightest suspicion arises.
What about the treatment?
Testicular cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, depending on the type of tumor and how quickly it spreads. The goal of the surgery is to remove the testicle along with the tumor to prevent it from spreading even further, through an incision in the groin. The surgeon will then cut the spermatic cord that connects the testicle to the abdomen, and at the end of the operation, the incision will be closed. Usually the discharge from the hospital is the day after the operation, when a few weeks later the patient will have to come for a check-up and receive a diagnosis regarding the condition of the testicle, and whether he should continue to receive preventive treatments.
There is no doubt that advanced technology in the field of medicine has brought us to a situation in which most men who suffer from the disease eventually recover from it. However, that doesn't mean you should underestimate health and ignore signs! If you feel unexplained pain or any of the signs mentioned above, contact your family doctor immediately for more details and referral for treatment. If there is any doubt, there is no doubt!