Testicular cancer is a type of cancer developed in the cells of one both testicles. Testicles are the male sex glands present in the body to produce testosterone (the male sex hormone) and sperms. They are located in the scrotum, which is a sac like structure made up of skin, under penis. They are egg shaped structure and contain sperm mother cells inside. By the process of spermatogenesis, the sperm mother cells are developed in to immature sperms. These travel through a narrow network of tubules and then to larger ones known as epididymis, where the sperms get mature and stored. It is by means of spermatic cord; the testicles are held together inside scrotum and are comprised of vas deferens, blood vessels and nerves.
The sperm mother cells are a type of germ cells present in the body. These are the cells in testicles that turn cancerous during testicular cancer. There are two types of testicular cancer: seminomas and non-seminomas. They differ in characteristics and treatment methods meant for are also different. Non-seminomas are very quick in spreading and growth than seminomas. Seminomas are more radiation sensitive than non-seminomas. If a patient with testicular cancer is diagnosed with both seminomas and non-seminomas, it is treated as non-seminoma.
Risk Factors
Testicular cancer is more prevalent among individuals within the age group of 20-35. Risk factors are those that enhance the chance of getting affected by a disease. There are some risk factors associated with testicular cancer. Some are
- Testicles will be seen as un-descended
- The growth of testicles will be abnormal
- The patient will have a familial history of testicular caner.
- The chance of testicular cancer will be more if the patient has Klinefelter’s
- Race is another risk factor for the condition. It is observed more frequently among white people.
Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer
A detailed analysis with test results is needed for proper diagnosis of this type of cancer. The major symptom of testicular cancer is discomfort or swelling of testicles which can be felt outside scrotum. Some of the symptoms mentioned below are also shown by other diseases. There will be a swelling of painless lump on either side of testicles. Pain will be felt in lower abdomen or the groin region. Sudden blockage of fluid inside testicle is another symptom of testicular cancer. There will be discomfort of pain in the scrotum. A change in usual sensation of testis can be felt after the onset of the condition. |
