Testicular Cancer


Testicular cancer develops when normal cells in the testicle(s) become abnormal and start growing uncontrollably, forming a tumour or mass. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. Testicular cancer accounts for 1% of all male cancers and according to GLOBOCAN statistics for South Africa, the incidence is 218 cases per year. It is one of the most common cancers in men aged 15 – 44 years and rarely occurs before puberty.1,2,3,4 Most types of testicular cancer develop in the sperm-producing cells known as germ cells, and are referred to as germ cell tumours. Germ cell testicular cancers are divided into two main types:2 1. Seminomas (about half of cases) occur most commonly in men aged 25 – 55 years. 2. Non-seminomas, usually affect men aged 15 – 35 years. These tend to grow and spread more quickly.
RISKS FOR DEVELOPING TESTICULAR CANCER:
WHAT ARE THE TESTICULAR CANCER SYMPTOMS?
- Painless (or painful) swelling or lump in/on the testicle
- Change in the size or shape of the testicles
- A feeling of heaviness in the testicle or the scrotum
- Twinge in the groin
- Pain and discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
- Back pain
- Chest pain, coughing and difficulty breathing
- Enlarged abdominal lymph nodes
- Enlarged or painful breast tissue
TESTICULAR SELF EXAMINATION (TSE):
- Self examination is best to do after a hot shower or bath. The scrotum (skin that covers the testicles) is most relaxed then, making the testicles easier to examine.
- Use both hands to examine each testicle separately. Starting with the thumbs placed on top of your testicle and your index and middle fingers behind your testicle, gently roll each testicle between your fingers.
- You should feel a soft rope-like tube (called the epididymis) located at the top back part of each testicle. This is normal.
- Remember that one testicle (the right one usually) is larger than the other.
- Feel for any lumps along the front and sides of your testicle. The lump can be as small as a grain of rice.
- Change in the size of your testicles
- Swelling, lumps or pain in the testicles
- Change in the colour of your scrotum
- Pain in your groin