There are two main types of tests used to diagnose testicular cancer. PET-CT scans use an infusion of glucose into the patient’s bloodstream to make cancer cells appear brighter on the scan. PET-CT scans can also be used to determine the extent of the cancer’s spread outside of the testicle. Your doctor will explain the differences between these two types of tests. In addition, you can also learn more about testicular cancer from the Cancer Council.
One type of cancer that can affect the testicles is known as a pure embryonal teratoma. This type of cancer is rare and usually responds well to chemotherapy. It often increases the level of the cancer marker protein HCG in the blood. Other names for embryonal teratoma include egg sac cancer, endodermal sinus tumor, and orchidoblastoma. Although not as common as pure embryonal cancer, this type of testicular cancer is still serious and should be treated promptly.
In stage III cancer, tumors have spread beyond the lymph nodes in the abdomen and may have invaded distant organs such as the lungs. High levels of this tumor marker HCG can be used to diagnose and monitor treatment. While treatment for stage III testicular cancer is not very effective, seminomas are usually the best choice for low-stage disease. Patients can benefit from radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Many doctors will also recommend active surveillance for low-stage seminomas.
Once the cancer has spread, chemotherapy will usually be the first choice of treatment. The treatment depends on the stage of the disease. If detected in early stages, treatment is aimed at the tumor’s localization. Surgical removal may be the best option for patients who are not able to undergo chemotherapy. However, in more advanced stages, chemo can make cancer worse. It’s important to know that testicular cancer is rare, and that it is curable with proper treatment.
In addition to surgery, testicular cancer is curable if detected in time. Surgical removal of a testicle can take up to 30 minutes. In most cases, one testicle is affected by the disease. In those rare cases where both testicles are affected, a prosthesis may be implanted. In addition to these tests, MRI scans can detect a number of other conditions related to the testicles.
Although there are two types of testicular cancer, most cases are noninvasive and start in germ cells. This type of cancer starts in the testes’ seminiferous tubules, which contain sperm-making germ cells. Invasive cancers often spread to other organs, and are called secondary testicular cancer. The primary cancer begins elsewhere and then spreads elsewhere in the body. The treatment options for these cancers will depend on the type of tumor.
Because the seminoma type develops more quickly than non-seminomas, they’re more common among men in their late teens and early 20s. There are four main subtypes of non-seminomas: seminoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma, and choriocarcinoma. Seminomas are most common in men aged 20 to 35, and men with an underlying medical condition or physical disorder are at a higher risk for them. A small number of men develop testicular cancers that start in supportive tissue.
