Five facts you didn’t know about testicular cancer

Testicular cancer affects approximately 8,000 men in the United States who will receive this diagnosis each year. One of the most famous cases of a man with testicular cancer in recent history is when professional road racing cyclist Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with the disease in 1996. 

Less than a month before his 25th birthday, Armstrong was given the diagnosis of testicular cancer and the very next day had his testicle removed.  To make matters worse, twelve tumors, some as big as golf balls, were found in his lungs, more in his abdomen and it had even spread to his brain where two more lesions were found.  His outlook was not good but by the grace of a miracle, he fought back courageously winning the battle by overcoming the cancer and is still doing well today.

Testicular cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the testicles divide and grow uncontrolled.  In some cases, certain benign or non-cancerous tumors may progress and become cancer.  Testicular cancer can develop in one or both testicles in men or young boys.

All men should know basic facts on this type of cancer since if it is caught early it is highly treatable with a man being able to lead a full, long life.  Here are 5 things men need to know:

1.  Testicular cancer is the most common cancer for young men

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 40.  With the onset of puberty, the incidence of this disease begins to rise.  There are certain risk factors that do play a major role as to who is more likely to develop this cancer:

·      Having an undescended testicle

·      Having had abnormal development of the testicles

·      Personal history of testicular cancer

·      Family history of testicular cancer (especially in a father or brother)

·      Being white

2.    Testicular self-exams are key in detecting it early

Regular testicular self-examinations are the best thing men can do to help identify any abnormality in the testicles.  The most common symptom of testicular cancer is a painless lump or swelling in the testicle.  Other symptoms can include:

·      A dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin

·      Sudden build-up of swelling in the scrotum

·      Pain or discomfort in the testicle or scrotum

·      Back pain

 If any of these changes are noticed, a man needs to contact his doctor right away as the sooner it is diagnosed, the greater the chance of a cure.  If the disease is limited to the testicle(s), it is curable.  However, if the tumor has spread outside the testicle, the chance of a cure is reduced. 

3.   The most common treatment is surgery

Surgery to remove the testicle (inguinal orchiectomy) will cure most patients.  Tumors that have spread to other places in the body may also be partly or entirely removed by surgery.  Some patients after surgery may undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatment to kill any remaining cancer cells. 

4.  Fertility can be affected by testicular cancer

 If a man requires chemotherapy or radiation treatment following surgery, his sperm count may be temporarily or permanently reduced.  It is possible that if a patient wants to have a child biologically, then they could store sperm in a sperm bank before starting chemotherapy or radiation.  Men who still have one testicle left can maintain fertility.

5.  Sexuality is not usually affected by testicular cancer

Most men with testicular cancer only have it in one testicle.  After the cancerous testicle is removed, the remaining testicle produces all of the needed hormones that affect masculinity including hair growth, voice, and sex drive.  The ability to have an erection is not affected by the removal of a testicle.  Men, who are concerned that removing one testicle may affect his manhood, should share his concerns with his doctor or partner. 

If a man is worried about the appearance after treatment, he should discuss with his doctor about the possibility of implanting a prosthetic testicle in the scrotum.