Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer accounts for 1-2% of all cancers that occur in males, with an annual incidence of 4 per 100,000 men (Richie, 2011). It is the most common malignancy that occurs in young men ages 20 to 35 (NHS Choices, 2009). Risk factors for testicular

cancer include smoking, family history, White race, and cryptorchidism (Shaw, 2008; Wood & Elder, 2009). During the early stages of testicular cancer, there are usually no symptoms beyond a mass within the testis. The mass feels hard or irregular to the finger­tips and is distinguishable from surrounding healthy tissue. It may be painless to touch, but some men do report tenderness in the area of the growth. Occasionally, other symp­toms are reported; these include fever, a dull ache in the groin area, sensation of dragging or heaviness in a testis, tender breasts and nipples, and painful accumulation of fluid or swelling in the scrotum. Some types of testicular cancers tend to grow more rapidly than any other tumors that have been studied. Therefore, for successful treatment, it is impor­tant to detect the mass as soon as possible and to seek medical attention immediately. Improved therapeutic procedures have consistently yielded a survival rate better than 90% among men treated for early-detected testicular cancer (Shaw, 2008).

Updated: 04.11.2015 — 05:00