Can testicular cancer be treated with radiation therapy or chemotherapy? In some cases, it can, but you should always talk with your doctor about the best option. Radiation therapy uses x-rays or similar forms of radiation to kill cancer cells, and chemotherapy uses medications to suppress the growth of cancer cells. It’s also possible to get chemotherapy in the form of a combination of drugs. In addition to radiation and chemotherapy, doctors may also prescribe adjuvant therapies to help kill any remaining cancer cells after surgery, or to treat any recurrence. Chemotherapy drugs approved for testicular cancer include bleomycin, cisplatin, dactinomycin, vinblastine sulfate, and etoposide.
If you suspect that you have testicular cancer, your doctor will perform a physical exam to find any lumps or other symptoms. During the exam, your doctor may perform an ultrasound, a diagnostic procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to create images of the testicle. If you have testicular cancer, your doctor may recommend an inguinal orchiectomy, which involves removing the affected testicle. The tissue from the removed testicle is then examined by a specialist.
Other signs of testicular cancer include a firm bump or swelling in the testicle. Testicular tumors can be painful and can cause a painful breast. Other symptoms may include heaviness or a dull ache in the scrotum or abdominal area. Fluid inside the testis may also indicate the presence of a tumor. Some individuals may also experience pain when touching the affected testicle. If you develop any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately.
In rare cases, people with a family history of testicular cancer are four to eight times more likely to develop it. There may be a genetic link between the two. During this time, research is ongoing. Some patients may be asked to participate in research trials. So far, no specific gene has been implicated in the development of testicular cancer. In addition to treatment, psychosocial support for the patient’s family members is essential.
When should a patient have his or her testicles screened for cancer? If the cancer grows in an untreated state, it will be difficult to detect with a test-cancer screening. But it’s important to seek treatment right away, if symptoms of testicular cancer are present. It may be in the form of an embryonal carcinoma, which is 40% to four percent of cases. However, some of these tumors contain both germ cells and cancer cells.
The most common types of testicular cancer are germ cell tumours, which start in the supportive tissues of the testicle. These types of tumours are called gonadal stromal tumors, and account for approximately twenty percent of childhood testicular tumors. Other types of cancers are Leydig cell tumours and Sertoli cell tumors. Depending on where the tumor develops, treatment may vary.
