- How to confirm the diagnosis
- What is the stage of testicular cancer
- Who is most at risk for testicular cancer
One of the most classic symptoms of testicular cancer is the appearance of a hard, painless, pea-sized lump in the testicle, but other symptoms that should also be evaluated by a urologist and that may indicate the presence of cancer include:
- Pain when feeling the testicle; Increased size or weight of the affected testicle; Hardening or softening of the testicle; Pain in the lower abdomen; Difficulty urinating; Presence of blood in the urine;
In addition, in some cases, it is also possible that the man may present an increase in the size of the breasts and the sensitivity of the nipples, due to the decrease in the amount of testosterone.
Testicular cancer does not always cause pain, especially early in the disease. Therefore, the most important thing is to regularly examine the testicles, observing whether they are symmetrical and have the same texture. It is recommended that testicular self-examination be done right after a warm bath, when the skin surrounding the testicles is more relaxed.
Watch the following video and see how to self-test your testicle:
Often, these symptoms are not related to cancer, and may arise due to other more common problems, such as hydrocele or varicocele, for example, which have a very different treatment. Check out the 7 most common causes of lump in the testicle.
How to confirm the diagnosis
If you notice any of these changes, you should make an appointment with a urologist to have a more detailed medical examination and identify the cause of the symptoms.
In addition to assessing testicles and clinical history, the urologist may also order other tests such as ultrasound and a blood test, to confirm or misdiagnose the diagnosis of cancer, as well as identify the stage of development.
What is the stage of testicular cancer
There are 4 main stages in the development of testicular cancer:
- Stage 0: the cancer is found only in the seminiferous tubules inside the testis and has not spread to other parts, nor to the lymph nodes. Stage I: cancer cells have grown out of seminiferous tubules and, therefore, may be affecting structures close to the testis, however, cancer has not yet reached the lymph nodes; Stage II: the cancer may have grown out of the testis or the size cannot be assessed correctly. In addition, it may have spread to one or more lymph nodes; Stage III: the cancer may have grown out of the testis, but the size cannot be assessed correctly. The cancer may also have reached lymph nodes and other nearby structures.
Normally, the more advanced the stage of cancer, the more difficult the treatment may be, and it may be necessary to remove the testicles to obtain a cure.
Find out more about the different ways of treating testicular cancer.
Who is most at risk for testicular cancer
Testicular cancer can occur in any man, however, there is an increased risk in men between 20 and 45 years old, with cases of cancer in the family or who have HIV.
