Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is a rare cancer that occurs in the testicles, the egg-shaped glands in the scrotum. Mainly affects young men between 15 and 39 years of age. It is also more common in men who had an undescended testicle or abnormal testicle development.

Symptoms

Symptoms of testicular cancer may include:

• Pain in the scrotal area
• Swelling or lump in the testicles
• A sensation of heaviness in the scrotum
• Breast swelling or tenderness

Treatment

Surgery

• Radical inguinal orchiectomy. Surgical removal of the affected testicle through a small incision in the lower abdomen.
• Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Surgery to remove the lymph nodes in the abdomen or pelvis. Sometimes needed for certain stages of the disease.

Radiation therapy. To destroy cancer cells that have migrated to the lymph nodes in the abdomen or pelvis. Usually performed after an orchiectomy for a certain type of testicular cancer.

Chemotherapy. Used when cancer has spread beyond the affected testicle. Administered under the supervision of an oncologist (cancer physician) in conjunction with a urologist.