This article provides an in-depth overview of testicular cancer, including its causes, warning signs, diagnostic methods, and treatment options. It highlights the importance of early detection for high treatment success rates and explains different stages to guide patients through management strategies.

Comprehensive Guide to Testicular Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Therapeutic Options

Testicular cancer ranks among the most prevalent cancers in men globally, with increasing incidence over recent years. It can affect males of any age, though the highest vulnerability is between 15 and 45 years old. Origins often occur early in life due to cellular changes within the testicles, with noticeable symptoms typically appearing during puberty. This article explores the causes, warning signs, diagnostic procedures, and treatment strategies for testicular cancer.

What are the causes of testicular cancer?

This disease develops when germ cells in the testes undergo harmful mutations, causing unregulated growth. Factors such as testicular trauma, undescended testes (cryptorchidism), hormone exposure, and infections like HIV can elevate risk.

Testicular germ cells are essential for sperm production. When these cells turn abnormal, they may form tumors that can metastasize if untreated. The primary types include seminomas, which grow slowly, and nonseminomas, which tend to spread rapidly. Diagnostic and treatment plans depend on the tumor classification.

Symptoms to monitor

Typical signs include a painless lump in the testicle, discomfort or pain in the groin or abdomen, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, or testicular swelling. As the disease advances, symptoms like unintended weight loss, coughing, shortness of breath, enlarged lymph nodes, or leg swelling may develop. Early detection significantly improves treatment prospects.

How is testicular cancer diagnosed?

Individuals presenting symptoms should seek medical attention. Diagnosis involves medical history review, physical exams to identify lumps or swelling, ultrasound imaging of the testes, and blood tests for tumor markers. Additional scans, like abdominal imaging, help determine if the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or organs.

Treatment options available

The treatment approach depends on the cancer stage:

Stage 0: Management may include active surveillance with ultrasound or surgical removal of the testes (orchiectomy), often combined with radiotherapy. While effective, radiotherapy can affect fertility and increase secondary cancer risk. Hormone therapy is generally recommended afterward.

Stage 1: Confirming tumor type, treatment typically involves orchiectomy. Seminoma cases may require follow-up with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Nonseminoma cases often need removal of testes and lymph nodes, followed by chemotherapy. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) may be performed for better outcomes.

Stages 2A and 2B: When cancer involves regional lymph nodes, initial treatment includes orchiectomy, with radiation or chemotherapy based on risk factors. Stage 2B may involve more intensive chemotherapy without radiation.

Stages 2C and 3: With further spread, possibly to lungs or other organs, combined therapies such as orchiectomy, multiple chemotherapy cycles, and radiation to the brain if metastasis occurs are employed.

Detecting testicular cancer early offers a high cure rate, approximately 95%. With prompt treatment, most patients have favorable outcomes.