OVERVIEW
The testicles are the male genital organs that are responsible for sperm production as well as male hormone production. There are different subtypes of testicular tumors. The two most common being seminoma and non-seminoma.
Symptoms
You may experience the following common symptoms:
- Testicular pain
- A palpable lump in the testicle
- Testicular swelling
- Back or abdominal pain
- Altered hormones
Causes
The cause of most testicular cancers is unknown, but various risk factors have been identified including: history of an undescended testicle as a child and genetic factors.
Diagnosis/Evaluation
- What to know before your visit:
- During your visit, your doctor will ask you questions regarding your medical history and will perform an exam.
- Other tests that may be performed during or after your visit:
- Blood work for tumor markers specific to testicular cancer
- Scrotal ultrasound: an imaging study looking at the testicle, epididymis, hydrocele sac, and blood flow to and from the testicle
- Imaging: This will be either a CT scan or MRI scan depending on your history and kidney function. These tests allow us to evaluate the urinary tract and assess for any spread of disease.
Treatment
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT
Most testicular tumors require surgical excision. In certain situations, systemic therapy may be utilized.
SURGICAL TREATMENT
The gold standard for testicle tumor/mass removal is a radical orchiectomy (removal of the entire testicle through a small incision in the groin). Testicular biopsies are rarely performed prior to this surgery. In very select cases just the tumor can be removed.
If the lymph nodes within the abdomen are enlarged, surgical removal (Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection) may be performed with or without receiving chemotherapy first.
Radiation therapy is also used for specific subtypes of testicular cancer.
Schedule an appointment with a MidLantic Urology physician near you today!