Do I Have Testicular Cancer?

You may have heard that testicular cancer is one of the rarest cancers in the world that men get. But the Mayo Clinic states that in America, it is the most common cancer type for a male aged 15 to 54. But the best news is that treatment is usually successful, especially when caught in its early stage.

Self-Check Exam

Just like girls and women need to check their breasts once a month for a lump, so boys and men should check their testis and scrotum once a month. Although it’s more fun to have a special someone else check these sex parts for you, you really need to do it yourself because only you are most familiar with how your body normally feels. Don’t worry, you will not go blind. Your fertility also will not be affected.

The earliest symptoms of testicular cancer are strange lumps and unexplained pain in the genital area. Do the self-exam after a hot bath, when the genitals are most relaxed. Place both hands underneath the penis and around each testicle. Roll one testicle in both hands feeling for strange bumps Also check for unusual patches of colors. If you have cryptorchidism, or undescended testicles, check for other symptoms such as sudden breast pain, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum or unexplained fatigue. Men with a retained testicle are at a higher risk of getting cancer.

If you find something unusual, you must go to a doctor immediately, even if the bumps are not painful. 

Getting a Diagnosis

Only a doctor can determine if you have cancer and what type of cancer. He or she can also determine if a tumor is benign or malignant. There are many different types of testicular cancers and each need different treatments. Not all types need chemotherapy, radiation therapy or an orchiectomy (removal of the testis.) 

You may need to get a blood test and take a CT scan. Your lymphatic system will be checked, too. Why are your lymph nodes being checked for swelling? Because if your lymph system is going full blast, your body has an illness. The lymphatic system is used like a highway for a cancer cell to go from one organ to another. You may need diagnostic surgery such as a retroperitoneal lymph node removal in order for your doctor to know what’s going on. 

Cancer Types

So, what types of testicular or gondoblastoma cancers can you look forward to or be relived that you do not have? Each bump could be a carcinoma or a tumor. Tumors may or may not be cancerous. Types of tumors include germ cell tumors, gonadal stromal tumor, sex cord- stromal tumor, teratoma and the rarest – gondobalstoma.

If you do have cancer, root for seminoma or spermaticystic seminoma. These are the non-aggressive types of testicular cancers. Nonseminoma is bad, but can be treated.