Introduction
Testicular cancer is a serious health condition that can affect men of any age. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer so that you can seek medical attention if necessary. Oncologists are experts in diagnosing and treating cancer, and they can provide valuable insight into the signs of testicular cancer. In this article, we will discuss the signs of testicular cancer according to oncologists, as well as what to do if you experience any of these symptoms. We will also provide tips on how to reduce your risk of developing testicular cancer. By understanding the signs of testicular cancer, you can take steps to protect your health and seek medical attention if necessary.
Signs You Have Testicular Cancer, According to Oncologist
Testicular cancer is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if not caught and treated early. While it is rare, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer so that you can seek medical attention if necessary. Here are some signs you may have testicular cancer, according to oncologists.
1. A Lump or Swelling in the Testicles
One of the most common signs of testicular cancer is a lump or swelling in the testicles. This is usually painless, but it can be accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. If you notice any changes in the size or shape of your testicles, it is important to see a doctor right away.
2. Pain or Discomfort in the Testicles
Another sign of testicular cancer is pain or discomfort in the testicles. This can range from a dull ache to a sharp pain. It is important to note that this type of pain can also be caused by other conditions, such as an infection or an injury, so it is important to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
3. A Feeling of Heaviness in the Scrotum
A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum can also be a sign of testicular cancer. This feeling can be accompanied by a dull ache or a sharp pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away.
4. Unexplained Weight Loss
Unexplained weight loss can also be a sign of testicular cancer. If you have lost a significant amount of weight without making any changes to your diet or exercise routine, it is important to see a doctor to get checked out.
5. Changes in Breast Tissue
In some cases, testicular cancer can cause changes in breast tissue. This can include swelling, tenderness, or a lump in the breast area. If you notice any changes in your breast tissue, it is important to see a doctor right away.
When to See a Doctor
If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away. Testicular cancer is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if not caught and treated early. Your doctor can perform a physical exam and order tests to determine if you have testicular cancer.
Nobody wants to hear a testicular cancer diagnosis, but the good news is it’s very treatable. According to John Hopkins Medicine, “The cure rate is excellent (greater than 95 percent for all men with testis cancer). Only about 400 men will die from testis cancer each year (the chance of death from testis cancer is better than one in 5,000). Because of the excellent cure rate, about 20,000 are surviving with cancer and 200,000 have been cured at any given time in the United States.” That said, staying on top of symptoms and early detection is essential to beating testicular cancer. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with Dr. Murugesan Manoharan, Chief of Urologic Oncology Surgery at Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida who shared signs to watch out for and what to know about the cancer. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. Manoharan states, “The primary symptom of testicular cancer is a lump or mass in either testicle. Seeing or feeling a mass that comes off the testicle, and it’s usually a lot harder in consistency than the normal feeling of a testicle. If men feel a lump or mass, they should go see their doctor, whether it’s their primary care physician or a urologist if they have access to one.”
Dr. Manoharan says, “It’s worth saying that testicular cancer is generally painless. If people complain of pain, it’s not really pain — it’s more of a discomfort or heaviness if the mass gets bigger. And, the mass can grow big really fast over weeks and months. So, the heaviness from the size of the mass is what creates discomfort.”
According to Dr. Manoharan, “Testicular cancer is highly metastatic and spreads very quickly. Usually, we can catch it early by detecting a small mass. However, when men ignore the masses since they are not painful, then the cancer can spread and this is when rare symptoms can happen. Some patients may have a lung mass as their lungs have been affected by testicular cancer. These patients may get shortness of breath because the normal lung tissues are significantly reduced. Sometimes these patients can even cough up blood. These symptoms are the most worrisome as the cancer has metastasized.”
“In instances where the cancer has spread, some patients may develop very large lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum (the area in the back of the abdomen behind the tissue that lines the abdominal wall and covers most of the organs in the abdomen),” Dr. Manoharan says. “As a result, these patients may come in to see us due to back pain. The cause for this pain may turn out to be that the testicular cancer has spread.”
Dr. Manoharan explains, “Patients with absence of one or both testes, usually from birth, might indicate undescended testes. These patients are at a higher risk of developing testicular cancer in the undescended side and opposite side normal feeling testes. Also, the cancer of the undescended testes may be difficult to diagnose as they are mostly inside the abdomen or groin and difficult to palpate.”
Dr. Manoharan shares, “We find that the incidence of testicular cancer is increasing compared to the incidence rate 10 or 20 years ago. Every five years, the incidence increases about 10 percent. What is the cause of this increase? It’s unknown. It’s most likely environmental changes that cause genetic mutations that could be resulting in higher rates of testicular cancer. Still, at the end of the day, testicular cancer is rare. It’s just that the incidence is increasing over time.”
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Dr. Manoharan reveals, “White men tend to have more testicular cancer (than men of color), and most develop the disease between the ages of 20 and 34. The other risk factor, in addition to a family history of testicular cancer, is being born with undescended testicles. When a boy is born with undescended testicles, we wait up to a year for the testicles to descend on their own. After one year, if it doesn’t descend, we perform a surgical procedure known as orchiopexy to move the testicle down into the scrotum. So, males born with an undescended testicle are at a higher risk of having testicular cancer in the future, even if the orchiopexy was successful. Additionally, men infected with HIV are at risk for testicular cancer.”
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“There is no standard practice for testicular cancer screening, ” says Dr. Manoharan. Testicular cancer can go undetected in early stages because a painless lump or mass may go unnoticed. Our philosophy at Miami Cancer Institute is to find the plan that not only treats the cancer, but also fits the patient. Our team will consider the patient’s specific diagnosis and type of tumor, stage of disease, size and location of tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Surgery is often the first step to treating testicular cancer. During this procedure, surgeons will remove the tumor and the testicle where it is located (radical orchiectomy). In some cases, this may be the only treatment needed for tumors that have not spread beyond the testicle. It’s important to note that surgery to remove the testicle generally will not affect the patient’s fertility or ability to maintain an erection. If the cancer has spread, we may recommend surgery to remove the lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum, which is the space behind the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). This surgery is called retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, or RPLND. During RPLND, the surgeon may also stop blood supply to the cancerous testicle.”
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According to Dr. Manoharan, ” There are preventive measures in terms of early detection, but not in terms of not getting testicular cancer. Men who are going to develop testicular cancer will develop it no matter what. What they can do is to detect it very early before it metastasizes so it can be treated early. Prevention can take the form of self-examination once a month in the shower. We recommend that men between the ages of 15 and 40 perform self-exams. This is the peak time for testicular cancer. Once a month, every man should examine their testicles. The self-exam is done with one hand over each testicle, usually with the thumb and the middle and index finger against the skin. Stretch the skin over the testicle. With the other hand, feel the testicle to see if there is a lump or mass or different consistency. Perform the same self-exam over the other testicle.”