How Fast Does Testicular Cancer Spread?
Testicular cancer occurs when previously healthy cells begin to grow at a much faster rate in one or both testicles. Over time, these cells build up into tumors and may spread to other parts of the body. The exact speed at which testicular cancer spreads depends on each individual case. Still, doctors have techniques for assessing how far and fast an individual's testicular cancer has spread, which they use to determine treatment options. This is known as staging. The good news for men concerned about testicular cancer is that the disease is rare, affecting only about 1 percent of all men. It can be successfully treated even at advanced stages.
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How Fast Does Testicular Cancer Spread?
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The staging of an individual's cancer depends on an individual's health, genetics, environmental and other exposures. According to the Testicular Cancer Resource Center, in stage I, the cancer remains in the testicle and has not spread. In stage II, the cancer has spread to lymph nodes near the affected organ and may spread to the kidneys. In stage III, the cancer has reached other organs, such as the lungs, brain or liver. The higher the stage, the further the cancer has grown, and the more difficult it is to treat.
How Is Testicular Cancer's Spread Measured?
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According to the Testicular Cancer Resource Center, testicular cancer generally spreads first to the lymph nodes, and then to the lungs, followed by the liver, brain and other organs. This predictable path is important, because it allows doctors to assess the progress of the disease and plan how to slow its growth. The lymph nodes most likely to be affected are known as the "retroperitoneal lymph nodes." These are located behind all of the major organs in the belly, between the kidneys and along the main blood vessels to the heart.
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How Can the Growth of Testicular Cancer Be Halted?
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According to the Urological Institute of New Orleans, treatment for testicular cancer consists of removal of the affected testicles and destruction of any cancerous lymph nodes, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In some cases, physicians may recommend a procedure known as "retroperitoneal lymph node dissection," a very invasive surgery that clears affected lymph nodes from the back of the abdominal cavity.
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