Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men 15 to 34 years old. The key to treating testicular cancer is detecting it early through a monthly testicular self-examination and then reporting any abnormalities in size, shape or consistency to your physician. In addition to self-exams, men should also have a physician perform a more detailed examination every one to two years. Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when cancer has spread beyond the testicle.
Symptoms
- Swelling and hardening of a testicle
- Change in the testicle’s shape or size
- Dull ache in the abdomen or groin
Treatment
Surgery
Surgery to remove your testicle (radical inguinal orchiectomy) is the primary treatment for nearly all stages and types of testicular cancer.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. In testicular cancer, radiation is mainly used to kill cancer cells that have spread to lymph nodes.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken in pill form or intravenously. Once in the bloodstream, the drugs travel throughout your body to kill cancer cells that may have migrated from the original tumor.