Testicular Cancer (Part Two)

Staging of Testicular Cancer

Once the diagnosis is established, the second step is determining the spread of the tumor. For this, it is recommended:

• Scanner. With it, images of the abdomen, chest, and pelvis are taken to see signs of tumor spread.
• Blood tests. These are needed to find a high level of tumor markers which helps the doctor to see if cancer still exists in the body even after the removal of the testicle.

The stages of testicular cancer are:

• Stage I. The cancer is confined to the testicle
• Stage II. The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the abdomen.
• Stage III. The cancer has spread to other parts of the body; it usually spreads to the lungs and liver.

Treatment

The way of treating testicular cancer depends on several factors such as the type and stage of the cancer, overall health condition, and patient preference.

Surgical Treatment

The operations used for testicular cancer include:

• Operation to remove the testicle. This is the main operation for almost all stages and types of testicular cancer.
• Operation to remove the lymph glands associated with the tumor, all glands involved in this disease are removed.

In cases where testicular cancer is caught in the early stages, surgical intervention may be the only treatment needed. In these cases, after the operation, the patient needs to have visits several times a year for the first years, and then less frequently. After these, he needs to do scans and blood tests to rule out the possibility of the disease recurring.

Radiotherapy

This treatment consists of using high-powered rays such as X-rays to destroy cancer cells. Radiotherapy is sometimes a treatment option for patients who have the seminoma type of testicular cancer and may be recommended after the removal of the testicle by surgery. Radiation can cause infertility.

Chemotherapy

This consists of using drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Chemotherapy may be the only treatment or may be recommended before or after the removal of the lymph glands.

Prevention

There is no way to prevent testicular cancer. Self-examination of the testicles is recommended to discover cancer in its early stages. The most suitable time for this is after taking a warm water bath. The warmth of the water relaxes the scrotum making it easier to discover any unusual formation. To do this, some steps should be followed:

• Stand in front of a mirror and check the skin of the scrotum for any swelling.
• Check both testicles with your hands by placing the thumb above the testicle and the other two fingers below it.
• Gently roll the testicle between the thumb and the other two fingers. Normally, the testicles are smooth, oval-shaped, and somewhat solid in consistency. It is normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other. If any lump is felt, a doctor should be consulted.