There are many different types of cancers that are currently affecting both men and women of different ages. Testicular cancer is a form of cancer that occurs in the testicles, although it can spread to other parts within the body. Statistics from 2013 showed that 8, 300 people died of this condition worldwide. This was an increase of 1, 300 from 1990. Annual diagnosis per year is at 8000 in the US and 2000 in UK.
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 area of origin of the condition in the body determines the name it is given. Because of that, even if cancerous cells spread to others parts of the body like the lungs, it is still called and treated as cancer of the testes. Research findings indicate that one out of 200 males is at risk of developing the disease. The cancer is the most prevalent one among males between the age of 20 and 39. Males below 15 years rarely develop the condition.
There are diverse symptoms for this disease, but the most pronounced one is lumps in testicles. Self-examinations are encouraged, but routine screen is not. Individuals from families with a history of cancer should be more careful and do more self-examinations. Young people are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
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.
Location of metastases and extent of disease is performed through CT scans. Blood tests may also utilize to identify the disease. Tumor markers in form of specific proteins within the bloodstream are made use of during the blood test. Alpha-fetoprotein, LDH-1, and human chorionic gonadotropin are the proteins that serve as tumor markers for the detection of the illness through blood tests. The efficiency of blood tests is not quite high.
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 area of origin of the condition in the body determines the name it is given. Because of that, even if cancerous cells spread to others parts of the body like the lungs, it is still called and treated as cancer of the testes. Research findings indicate that one out of 200 males is at risk of developing the disease. The cancer is the most prevalent one among males between the age of 20 and 39. Males below 15 years rarely develop the condition.
There are diverse symptoms for this disease, but the most pronounced one is lumps in testicles. Self-examinations are encouraged, but routine screen is not. Individuals from families with a history of cancer should be more careful and do more self-examinations. Young people are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
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.
Location of metastases and extent of disease is performed through CT scans. Blood tests may also utilize to identify the disease. Tumor markers in form of specific proteins within the bloodstream are made use of during the blood test. Alpha-fetoprotein, LDH-1, and human chorionic gonadotropin are the proteins that serve as tumor markers for the detection of the illness through blood tests. The efficiency of blood tests is not quite high.
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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