Can testicles cancer be hereditary? The risk of testicular cancer is four to eight times higher in some families. Those with Down syndrome or other genetic conditions are particularly prone. Those with problems conceiving and achieving sexual intercourse may also be at an increased risk. HIV infection, abnormal bleeding, and estrogen therapy are other risk factors. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, seek medical advice immediately.
Most cases of testicular cancer are non-seminomas. Non-seminomas are more aggressive tumors derived from older germ cells. The good news is that treatment for testicular cancer can be tailored to the specific stage of the disease. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are some options available. The treatment for testicular cancer depends on the stage of the disease and the type of symptoms. For example, seminomas tend to grow slowly and are best diagnosed early.
Among the four types of testicular cancer, there are immature and mature teratomas. The former are much less advanced and are less likely to spread to surrounding tissues. The latter can spread outside the testicle and recur many years after treatment. Both types are rare. While the most common type is adenocarcinoma, immature teratomas may also be leukemia or sarcoma.
When a cancerous tumor grows inside a testis, it can grow slowly and contain only seminoma cells. It is possible for it to be a nonseminoma, but it is important to know the difference between them. Seminomas contain mostly cancer cells and nonseminomas contain other types of cancer cells. Nonseminomas include tumors made up of stromal cells, Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells.
Testicular cancer can be detected early. Signs of the disease include the growth of facial and body hair and the deepening of a person’s voice. Regular self-examinations are important in detecting the disease early. It is easiest to check testicles after a bath or shower, when the skin around the testicles is relaxed. Using your thumb and fingers, you should be able to feel the area in question. If there is a mass, the doctor will remove it.
If testicular cancer is suspected, a healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms and ask about any risk factors you have. A physical examination will also be conducted to determine if any of these symptoms are present. A doctor may also check your testicles for sores, lumps, or swelling. Other parts of your body may also show signs of tumor spread. Your healthcare provider will also check your blood pressure, glucose, and lipids.
Testicular cancer usually has a few symptoms. The symptoms may be mild or even nonexistent. The most common sign is an enlarged testicle, but symptoms may not show up until it has spread. Symptoms may include a pea-size lump in a testicle or a lump that feels like marble. Sometimes, the tumor may be so large that it can cause pain or numbness.
