Testicular Cancer Cures
According to the National Institutes of Health, testicular cancer is the most common cancer type for men between the ages of 20 and 35. This disease can be deadly if it spreads, but it is very curable if diagnosed early. The American Cancer Society says it has an overall cure rate of 95 percent, with a rate of 99 percent for those whose cancer has not yet spread. All men should know the warning signs of testicular cancer so they can be alert for any problems and consult a doctor as quickly as possible to boost their chances for a cure.
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Symptoms
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The NIH says that symptoms of testicular cancer include a painless lump or swelling in one of the testicles, aches in the groin or stomach, pain in a testicle or the scrotal area or fluid suddenly building up in the scrotum. The NIH says that all men should be alert for these symptoms, but those who have an an undescended testicle or abnormal testicular development should be especially cautious. Those two factors put them at a greater risk for this condition, as does being Caucasian or having family members who have had testicular cancer.
Diagnosis
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A doctor must diagnose the testicular cancer and determine the scope of the problem before treatment can begin. Diagnosis usually starts with a physical examination of the testicles to look for any abnormalities. If there are any, further tests will be done to see if the patient has cancer or if there might be another cause. The NIH says the most common tests include blood tests and an ultrasound. Sometimes surgery is used. The procedure removes the entire testicle, and its tissues are examined for the presence of cancer.
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Types
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The NIH has identified two main types of testicular tumors. They are called seminomas and nonseminomas, and each grows and spreads in a different way. Nonseminomas usually grow and spread faster than seminomas and may be more difficult to treat. Seminomas tend to be less aggressive and respond to radiation. Some testicular tumors contains both nonseminoma and seminoma cells.
Factors
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The NIH says there are many factors that affect whether testicular cancer cures will work. These include the stage of the testicular cancer, whether it has invaded other body areas, the exact type of cancer, tumor size and number and size of involved lymph nodes. If the tumor is large or the cancer is aggressive and had migrated throughout the man's body, a cure may not be possible.
Treatments
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According to the Mayo Clinic, most cases of testicular cancer are treated by removal of the affected testicle. Additional treatment is added as appropriate. In some cases, surgery may be all that is required. In others, the patient may need chemotherapy or radiation to ensure that all the cancer cells have been killed. Radiation is typically used for seminoma cancers, while chemotherapy is used for cancer that has spread to other body parts. These treatments can often cure the cancer completely.
For advanced-stage testicular cancer or cancer that returns, a stem cell transplant may help. The Mayo Clinic states that stem cells are harvested from the patient's body and then frozen. He then undergoes high-dose chemotherapy to wipe out the cancer. The chemotherapy may also kill his bone marrow, but after the treatment his stored cells are used to replenish it.
Warning
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According to the NIH, testicular cancer cures often cause infertility. Even though the cancer is eliminated, the man may not be able to father children after he is cured. The NIH says that men who may want to become fathers in the future should consider banking some of their sperm before their cancer treatment begins. The sperm is frozen and stored. It can be thawed for later use to impregnate a woman.
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References
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