Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the testicles, which are located in the scrotum. It occurs when abnormal cells in the testicles divide and grow uncontrollably. Testicular cancer most commonly affects men between the ages of 15 and 35, but it can occur at any age.
Testicular cancer can impact a man's anatomy by spreading to nearby lymph nodes and organs, such as the lungs or brain. If cancer has spread beyond the testicles, it can also affect a man's overall health and quality of life.
There are two main types of testicular cancer: Seminoma and Non-Seminoma.
Seminoma: This type of testicular cancer develops from cells called germ cells responsible for producing sperm. Seminoma grows and spreads slowly and is usually more responsive to treatment.
Non-Seminoma: This type of testicular cancer develops from cells called embryonal cells and yolk sac cells. Non-Seminoma tends to grow and spread more quickly than seminoma and is less responsive to treatment.
Non-Seminoma subtypes include
Some testicular cancers can have features of both seminoma and non-seminoma, called mixed germ cell tumours, which can be treated differently.
Although testicular cancer is rare, it is one of the most common cancers in men aged between 15 and 45. It is also one of the most curable cancers if found early.
The exact causes of testicular cancer are not fully understood, but certain factors may contribute to its development. These include
Symptoms of testicular cancer may include:
Many men with testicular cancer do not experience symptoms in the early stages of the disease. This is why it is essential for all men to be aware of the symptoms of testicular cancer and to seek medical attention if they notice any changes in their testicles or scrotum.
Testicular cancer is usually diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, imaging tests, and biopsy. The diagnostic process may include
Testicular cancer can be tricky to diagnose, especially in the early stages. If you have any symptoms or concerns, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Treatment for testicular cancer depends on the cancer stage, the type of cancer, and the patient's overall health. The main treatments for testicular cancer include
Testicular cancer is highly curable, especially when it is detected and treated early. With appropriate treatment, most men with testicular cancer will be cured.
If testicular cancer is not treated, it can cause serious health complications and affect the quality of life. Symptoms of advanced testicular cancer may include back pain, shortness of breath, and neurological symptoms such as headaches or seizures.
Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect you may have testicular cancer, even if the symptoms are mild or not present. Early detection and treatment of testicular cancer can significantly improve the chances of recovery.
Testicular cancer can recur, even after treatment, especially in advanced stages. Regular follow-up examinations and imaging tests are essential to detect any recurrence as soon as possible.
Penile cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the skin and tissues of the penis. It occurs when abnormal cells in the penis divide and grow uncontrollably.
The penis is a rod-shaped male reproductive organ that passes sperm and urine from the body. It contains two types of erectile tissue (spongy tissue with blood vessels that fill with blood to make an erection):
The erectile tissue is wrapped in connective tissue and covered with skin. The glans (head of the penis) are covered with loose skin called the foreskin.
There are several types of penile cancer, including
Risk factors for penile cancer include the following:
Anything that increases your chance of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn’t mean you will not.
Symptoms of penile cancer may include
Cancer may spread from where it began to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads to another body part, it is called metastasis.
Cancer cells break away from where they began (the primary tumour) and travel through the lymph system or blood.
The metastatic tumour is the same type of cancer as the primary tumour. For example, if penile cancer spreads to the lung, the cancer cells in the lung are penile. The disease is metastatic penile cancer, not lung cancer.
Penile cancer is usually diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, imaging tests, and biopsy. The diagnostic process may include
Penile cancer can be challenging to diagnose, especially in the early stages. If you have any symptoms or concerns, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
There are four standard treatments for patients with penile cancer.
A surgical procedure to remove a visible lesion on the skin in several steps.
Other surgical options include
Even if the doctor removes all cancer that can be seen during the surgery, some patients may be given chemotherapy or radiation therapy after surgery to kill any cancer cells that might be left. Treatment given after the surgery to lower the risk that cancer will come back is called adjuvant therapy.
Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing.
There are two types of radiation therapy.
How the radiation therapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or preventing them from dividing.
When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body (systemic chemotherapy).
When chemotherapy is placed directly onto the skin (topical chemotherapy) or into the cerebrospinal fluid, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas (regional chemotherapy).
The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. Topical chemotherapy (5-FU) may treat stage 0 penile cancer.
Biologic therapy is a treatment that uses the patient’s immune system to fight cancer. Substances made by the body or in a laboratory are used to boost, direct, or restore the body’s natural defences against cancer.
This type of cancer treatment is also called biotherapy or immunotherapy. Topical biologic therapy with Imiquimod may be used to treat stage 0 penile cancer.
If penile cancer is not treated, it can cause serious health complications, affect the quality of life, and cause severe psychological distress. Symptoms of advanced penile cancer may include pain, difficulty urinating, and changes in the appearance of the penis. In some cases, untreated penile cancer can lead to the removal of the penis or even death.
Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect you may have penile cancer, even if the symptoms are mild or not present. Early detection and treatment of penile cancer can significantly improve the chances of recovery.
Penile cancer can recur, even after treatment, especially in advanced stages. Regular follow-up examinations and imaging tests are essential to detect any recurrence as soon as possible.
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