Testicular cancer treatment

Testicular cancer is a malignant neoplasm that develops from the tissues of the male sex glands. It accounts for 2-3% of all oncological diseases in men. At the same time, unlike most other tumors, testicular cancer occurs mainly in adolescence and young adulthood - from 15 to 35 years and is one of the most common oncological pathologies in this age group.

With early diagnosis, the disease is successfully treated and rarely leads to death. But some types of tumors can progress very quickly and increase their size by 2 or more times within a few months.

The testicles, or testicles, are male sex glands that synthesize the hormone testosterone and are responsible for the formation of sperm.

Depending on which cells the tumor develops from, there are several types:

• germinogenic;
• lymphoma;
• leydigoma;
• sertolioma;
• sarcoma and others.

Germinogenic tumors are diagnosed in more than 95% of cases. They develop from germinal germ cells and, according to the characteristics of their structure, are divided into several subspecies: seminoma and non-semenoma tumors. Most often (40-50%) the former are diagnosed.

The type of tumor can only be determined based on the results of histological analysis.

Depending on the spread of the pathological process, there are 4 stages of cancer:

• first - the tumor is small in size, does not extend beyond the testicle;
• second - due to the increase in the tumor, the shape and size of the scrotum changes;
• third - the tumor grows, affects the testicular appendages and nearby lymph nodes;
• fourth - the tumor covers adjacent organs and metastasizes throughout the body.

Treatment is most effective at stages 1 and 2 of the disease. At the 3rd stage, the prognosis is satisfactory - more than half of patients manage to achieve a five-year survival rate.

In order to diagnose a neoplasm in a timely manner, you should visit a urologist annually for preventive purposes, as well as conduct an independent examination and palpation of the scrotum every month. The appearance of a seal, soreness or other symptoms is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

Testicular cancer, like other neoplasms, develops asymptomatically in the early stages. A man may not notice the problem for a long time if he does not conduct a self-examination or does not visit a urologist for regular preventive examinations.

Signs of the disease appear when the tumor size increases and it begins to affect the organs of the reproductive system and the body as a whole.

Cancer can manifest itself in different ways, so the presence of one or even several of the above symptoms does not guarantee that the patient has cancer. For an accurate diagnosis, you need to see a doctor for a consultation and (if necessary) undergo examinations. In the early stages, the tumor is more difficult to diagnose, but it is during this period that the effectiveness of treatment is highest.

Also, do not forget that similar symptoms can also appear with other, for example, inflammatory or infectious diseases of the genitourinary system. Therefore, based only on them, you cannot make a diagnosis.

Testicular cancer is a fairly rare disease, but the likelihood of its development increases against the background of the following factors:

• hereditary predisposition;
• previously suffered cancer of any localization;
• cryptorchidism - a condition in which the testicles do not descend into the scrotum on their own;
• impaired sperm production;
• small testicle size;
• loose or dense testicular structure;
• scarring of scrotal tissues;
• viral orchitis;
• long-term use of estrogens;
• injuries in the groin area, etc.

If there are risk factors, adolescents and young men are recommended to regularly visit a urologist.

Diagnosis of a neoplasm begins with a consultation with an oncologist. During the appointment, the doctor first listens to the complaints and asks clarifying questions to better present the clinical picture, find out whether any of the patient's relatives have had cancer, and whether he has other risk factors. After that, he examines and palpates the scrotum. The doctor compares the size of a healthy and changed testicle, notes the presence of swelling, soreness and other symptoms, and also checks the condition of the mammary glands and the features of the distribution of fatty tissue throughout the body. This allows the specialist to better assess the patient's condition and draw up a plan for further examinations.

For diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe:

• Ultrasound of the scrotum;
• Dopplerography;
• laboratory tests;
• computed tomography of the abdominal cavity, chest and brain;
• biopsy with histological analysis of the obtained sample and other examinations.

Ultrasound of the scrotum allows you to detect a neoplasm, but its results can tell whether it is malignant. For this, other studies are necessary - primarily a blood test for the presence of tumor markers.

The final diagnosis is usually made based on the results of a histological analysis of a tissue sample. For this, a biopsy is performed - a small amount of tumor cells are taken. A biopsy can be puncture or open. The first is performed using a needle, which is inserted into the scrotum under ultrasound control. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

An open biopsy is performed in cases where the patient is immediately recommended to remove the tumor - a sample for analysis is taken during surgery.

To exclude the development of metastases or the presence of other foci of the malignant process, CT scans of the abdominal cavity, chest and brain may be prescribed. It may also be advisable to conduct comprehensive oncoscreening.

The treatment program for testicular cancer is developed individually according to the type of tumor, stage of the disease and the general condition of the patient.

The treatment program may include:

• surgical removal of the tumor;
• chemotherapy;
• radiation therapy;
• supportive drug therapy, etc.

The main method of cancer treatment is the removal of the tumor. But in most cases, the patient is also prescribed chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It can be indicated both before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor, and after to destroy the remaining cancer cells and prevent relapse. Depending on the stage of the disease, one or more courses may be required. To reduce side effects, supportive therapy is also prescribed.

Oxford Medical is a large medical center with a modern oncology department and a high-tech surgical hospital. The clinic employs some of the best oncologists and surgeons in Kyiv and Ukraine with many years of experience, who are familiar with all modern methods of cancer treatment. We also have new expert-class equipment. Thanks to this, there are all the conditions for accurate diagnostics and effective treatment.

To make an appointment for a consultation, call our contact center or write to the chat on the website.

Two types of surgery are performed for testicular tumors:

• organ-sparing – only the tumor is removed (a relatively new type of surgery);
• orchiectomy – removal of the testicle along with the spermatic cord.

Orchiectomy is a classic method. It involves removing the entire testicle and spermatic cord. This significantly reduces the risk of recurrence and metastasis. If the tumor has affected both testicles, adjacent lymph nodes and other tissues, the volume of the operation can be increased.

Orchiectomy is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. It takes 30 to 60 minutes. The surgeon makes a small incision in the groin area, separates the testicle from the surrounding tissues, removes it and the spermatic cord, then installs a drain to drain the fluid (removed after 1-3 days) and sutures the wound.

After the operation, the patient is transferred to a comfortable single or double room. There he remains under the supervision of doctors and medical staff for 1 or more days.

Oxford Medical operates a high-tech surgical hospital. The operating rooms are equipped with new equipment from leading world brands, which allows the clinic's surgeons to perform all types of operations. The department also has intensive care units with equipment to monitor and support vital body functions. Thanks to this, each patient at Oxford Medical receives medical care according to the highest quality standards.

The rehabilitation period takes up to 2-3 weeks. At this time, the patient is advised to wear an inguinal bandage, take prescribed medications, etc. The doctor gives detailed recommendations regarding the postoperative period and further treatment.

After removal of the testicle, the patient can have an implant installed that will hide the fact of surgical intervention.

As for reproductive function, the removal of one testicle, as a rule, does not affect it - sperm production continues in the other testicle. In some cases, before starting treatment, cryopreservation of sperm is recommended, which can be used in the future for artificial insemination (IVF).

The prognosis of the disease depends on 4 factors:

• type of neoplasm;
• stage of cancer;
• concentration of tumor markers in the blood;
• presence and location of metastases.

In most cases, if cancer is detected at an early stage, with properly selected therapy, patients manage to achieve complete recovery or long-term remission. At stages 2 and 3, the prognosis is moderate.

To prevent cancer, it is recommended to avoid radiation exposure, quit smoking and other bad habits, as well as eat a balanced diet and lead a generally healthy lifestyle.

If there are risk factors, men are recommended to perform a monthly self-examination and palpation of the scrotum, and if changes or other alarming symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor. Also, a urologist should be examined at least 1-2 times a year, even in the absence of complaints. In the event of a disease, this will allow it to be detected at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.