Testicular cancer is the most common among men of the 15 to 35 age group. Though this cancer has a high survival rate still it is menacing. Cancer cells form in the testicles of men and grow abnormally. Testicles are the organs where sperms are produced from spermatogonia.
It’s been more than 40 years since the first case of testicular cancer was identified. But, even now the researchers are trying to know how some men are prone to it and some not. The cause concluded by them is most commonly the involvement of genes and heritage.
Two months back, I was working in a services hospital, Lahore. The hospital management arranged an event to spread awareness on diseases that are not common among people. The cancer of testicles is one of such dreadful diseases. The event received many applause and positive response. It magnificently increased the knowledge of visitors and us.
I gathered a lot of information and compiled it all together. I would love to share some of the valuable information from that event.
Warning Signs Of Testicular Cancer:
No matter how dreadful the disease is, an early diagnosis always proves to be helpful. The patient can identify the disease by knowing the symptoms and signs. All of the symptoms are not specific to testicles but it’s better to know something than nothing. A few of these warning signs are as detailed below.
1) Pea or Pearl Sized Lump:
A lump formation or swelling occurs in the testicle. This painless pearl-sized lump can be formed either in one testicle or in both. If it remains unidentified, the small lump becomes a tumor and grows larger. The shape and texture of the lump can vary based on how long it has been formed. Due to swelling, the testicles become enlarged and this symptom can be seen at an early stage of cancer.
2) Discomfort And Heaviness:
The scrotum feels heavy due to the swelling and fluid in it. It radiates an aching pain that passes through the groin and abdomen. The epididymis swells and causes discomfort. It is the comma-shaped tube performing the function of storing sperms and transporting them. So, it’s located above and behind the testicles. The feeling of the heavy scrotum can lead you straight away to the doctor and you can get your disease identified.
3) Stabbing pain:
Testicular cancer is basically painless cancer. The cells keep on growing abnormally and may spread at an instant rate. But, these cells are not painful. The pain it causes is in the lower abdomen. The pain in the abdomen occurs even before the pain in the testicles. So, it rebukes the diagnosis and mixes it with abdomen pain.
4) State Of Melancholy:
Patients with TCSs are more at risk of anxiety and depression. They remain in a state of unhappiness, uneasiness, and discomfort. People get stressed by the ‘cancer’ term in its name. But, it’s a fact that it is the rarest cancer of all and only 1% of men are susceptible to it. The melancholy state doesn’t let them be active and content.
5) Lower Back Pain:
The cancer cells can spread to other organs too. The process of metastasis makes it spread. If cancer cells have reached lymph glands in the back of the abdomen, it causes severe ache in your back. These lymph glands are also called retroperitoneal or para-aortic lymph glands.
6) Fluid Accumulation:
The reasons for the heaviness of the scrotum include the collection of fluid into it. Due to inflammation or an injury of the scrotum, a hydrocele forms at that site. This fluid collection might be initiated by an infection of a testicle or in the back of the testicles.
The highly professional andrologists in Lahore treat this infection through surgical techniques. If the scrotum has become larger or more fluidly, the surgeon makes a cut at the scrotum. The fluid is drained out from the testicle by the passage of the cut.
7) Swelling Of Lymph Nodes:
Due to cancer, some hormones start releasing in the body in irregular patterns. If the cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes in men, their breasts get swollen and tender. A cough is a sign of swollen lymph nodes.
Visit Your Doctor!
If you notice any of these signs, head straight to your Andrologist. Telling your symptoms will always help you to get an early diagnosis and a better treatment.
