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Movember 2020 | Testicular Cancer

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Testicular cancer represents only about one percent to two percent of all cancers in males, but is one of the most common cancers in young men. It occurs predominantly in young males aged 20-40 years old.

Signs & Symptoms

Typically, patients present to their doctor with a painless lump in one or both testes. Occasionally, there may be a heavy or aching sensation in the testes. In advanced cancer, other symptoms may be present. For example, if cancer has spread to the lungs, there may be shortness of breath.

Common Causes

Males who have a history of undescended testes (testes that did not descend to lie in the scrotum during development) have a much higher chance of developing testicular cancer. Other risk factors include history of testicular cancer in the other testis and family history of testicular cancer.

Diagnosis

Ultrasound of the testes will locate and delineate the size of the testicular lump.

Blood tests are taken for tumour markers consisting of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). 

A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and occasionally, the brain, is also performed to find out the extent of cancer.

Prevention:

There’s no known effective prevention for testicular cancer. However, regular testicle self examination may be useful.

Testicular Self-exam

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So start a conversation with your friends and loved ones. Create awareness. Encourage those at risk to seek help. Together we can help to reduce disability and deaths among men from the above conditions.

How to Perform Testicular Self Exam

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There are doctors that recommend all men examine their testicles monthly after puberty, but because testicular self-exams have not been studied enough to know if they reduce the death rates from testicular cancer, no clear guidelines exist on whether or not they should be recommended to everyone.
Each man has to decide for himself if he wants to examine himself. This might be more important if you have any of the risk factors listed above. Seek medical attention immediately if you do find a lump. Your doctor will advise as appropriate.
Testicular cancer is comparatively rare when putting side by side with other cancers, but testicular cancer is the most common cancer in males between the ages of 15 and 35.

How to Perform Testicular Self-exam

Step 1: Clean up, Warm-up

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(Testicular Self-exam)
The testicles are easiest to examine when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed. The skin is usually relaxed when you are relaxed, or after a warm shower or bath.

Step 2: Roll it Gently between Your Fingers

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(Testicular Self-exam)
You can examine yourself lying down or standing up. Most doctors will examine your standing up.
Hold your penis away. Hold your testicle one at a time between your thumb and fingers. Roll it gently between your fingers.

Step 3: Feel for any Lumps, Bumps or Fluid

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(Testicular Self-exam)
Check for any lumps, bumps or unusual features. If you do examine your testicles regularly, you will eventually know what is normal for you and what is different.

Step 4: Feel for any change in the Size, Shape, or Consistency

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(Testicular Self-exam)
Feel for any change in the size, shape, or consistency of your testicles. Seek medical attention if you notice any difference.

What is normal

  • One testis may be slightly larger than the other
  • One side may hang lower than the other
  • Part of the testicle is known as the epididymis where sperm are stored. This may be felt as a bump at the posterior upper or posterior middle aspect of the testicles
  • Above the testicles you may feel a cord-like structure – this is the spermatic cord where sperm is carried.

What is abnormal

  • Abnormally large testes compared to the other side
  • A hard lump
  • Fluid around the testicle
  • Dilated veins above the testicles which may feel like worms
  • Tender lumps

Not all the above abnormalities are related to cancer. But if you do find such abnormalities, please visit your doctor for a consultation. One of the easiest ways to characterize a lump is with an ultrasound, which is completely painless.

Speak to our doctors for more information or professional advice on testicular cancer at our Men’s Health Clinic.

Happy Movember everyone!