Testicular Cancer – Symptoms & Treatment

Testicular cancer is also known as germ cell tumor and is of two kinds - seminoma or nonseminoma. About 40% of testicular cancer are seminoma type and the other are divided into four sub-types; choriocarcinoma, teratoma, embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumors. The cancer can sometimes also be a combination of both cancers, and are called mixed germ-cell tumors.

Other testicular cancer symptoms to be on the lookout for are loss of sexual appetite, buildup of fluid in the scrotum and pain or tenderness in the testicles. To be sure, testicular cancer isn't something that is on the tip of most people's tongue. Still, it is something that people need to be aware of. Nobody is immune from it, as champion Lance Armstrong proved when he almost died as a result of the condition.

Testicular cancer forums can be great for men who don't know anyone who has had to deal with testicular cancer. These forums can be like instant support groups, with members writing in words of encouragement, suggestions or even promises for prayer support.

There are way too many symptoms for testicular cancer to list here, but I'll briefly go over some of the most common ones that are easier to notice. Many people who get diagnosed with testicular cancer notice a dull pain or ache in their abdomen or groin. Also, an unusually enlarged or shrunk testicle is something to take notice of.

Other symptoms of testicular cancer include pain and tenderness in the testicles, a dull ache in the groin or abdomen and a lump or hardening of one of the testicles. Treating the cancer can be a difficult thing for the patient to go through, sometimes chemotherapy or removal of the testicle is the only way to rid the body of the cancer.

There are several symptoms of testicular cancer that you may have if you've got it, including loss of sexual appetite, blood in semen and a significant increase or decrease in the size of one of the testis.

Testicular cancer and cancer treatment can make a man infertile. If you want to father children, talk with your doctor about storing sperm for such a purpose before you start cancer treatment. Storing your sperm for future use will alleviate the worries of being infertile and allow you to concentrate on getting better with the cancer treatment.

Another risk factor for testicular cancer is any type of congenital abnormalities or an inguinal hernia. Men that have a birth defect in the kidneys are at higher risk for testicular cancer. Of course, a past history of testicular cancer or a family history of this type of cancer puts a man at an increased risk.

Other signs of cancer in the testes include a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum or a dull ache in the groin, back or lower part of the abdomen. If these symptoms appear, they should be checked out by a doctor right away.

The classic sign of testicular cancer is a lump. The surface of the testis is smooth and you should not feel anything irregular even if you give it a small squeeze. If you feel a ridge or a nodule or something like a peanut that is different then you need to see your doctor and get checked out.