In the United States, testicular cancer often affects young men between the ages of 15 and 35. However, it is a common form of male cancer that is very treatable. The American Cancer Society relates that for all men diagnosed with this type of cancer the five-year survival rate is approximately 95 percent. In some cases, men often detect signs of testicular cancer through self-examination. To make a proper diagnosis, doctors will have to test for testicle cancer. This may involve a battery of different types of tests.
Instructions
1. Detect the early signs and symptoms of testicular cancer through self-examination. Signs of a lump or a mass in the testicles can indicate a possible problem. Some other symptoms of testicular cancer are swollen or tender testicles, a heavy feeling or ache in the scrotum or lower abdomen. On rare occasion, another sign may be soreness and an enlargement in breast size. Detection through self-examination, may lead to early diagnosis and treatment.
2. See a doctor if you detect any symptoms of testicular cancer. The doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical examination that can include feeling your abdomen for signs of swollen lymph nodes and checking for the symptoms specified in Step 1. If a doctor suspects cancer, he may order a battery of tests.
3. Follow the doctor's recommendation and get properly tested. One test that may be necessary is an ultrasound test. This test involves using sound waves to take a picture of the scrotum, testicles and other surrounding organs to detect signs of the mass or lump and its type. A solid lump can be a sign of cancer, so other test will be necessary.
4. Take a blood test to detect testicular or testicle cancer. The presence of tumor markers, which are proteins produced by cancer, can be found by certain blood test that include alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin (see the Resource section below). An elevated count in these proteins may suggest cancer.
5. Undergo a biopsy or surgery to determine completely if you have testicular cancer. In rare instances, a doctor may take a tissue sample or biopsy and have it examined immediately by a pathologist to see if the mass is cancerous or benign before proceeding with further surgery. However, in most cases, doctors will often just perform surgery to excise completely the testicle, spermatic cord and the tumor. A pathologist will exam the removed tissue for signs of cancer.
6. Determine how far the cancer has advanced by undergoing imaging tests that can include chest x-rays, CT scan and MRI scan. These tests may be necessary if the pathologist finds evidence of cancer. The treatment options will depend on the stage of the cancer as determined by these cancer tests.
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