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More
than ninety percent of patients present with a painless lump or mass
in the testicle. Patients may
also notice a sensation of heaviness in the scrotum or lower
abdominal aching. Scrotal enlargement or swelling is also common in patients with testicular
cancer.
Some patients with
testicular cancer have no symptoms at all, especially in the early
stage. Their cancer may be found incidentally during routine
physical exams, such as ultra sound test or biopsy for diagnosis
of infertility. Certain types of testicular cancers, i.e., germ cell tumors, can secrete high levels of
human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (HCG), which stimulates
breast development. One of the uncommon symptoms for
testicular cancer patients is
breast tenderness or breast growth. This symptom results from the
abnormal secretion of HCG from certain types of testicular cancer.
Blood tests can measure HCG levels; these
tests are important in diagnosis, staging, and in follow-up of
some testicular cancers. Two types of testicular tumors, Leydig cell tumors and Sertoli cell
tumors, may
produce androgens (male sex hormones) or estrogens (female sex
hormones). Estrogen can cause breast growth in men and cause
decreased libido (loss of sexual desire). Over production of androgen
may or may not cause any specific symptoms in adult males;
however, it can cause growth of facial and body hair at an
abnormally early age.
Even with metastatic
disease (when cancer has spread to other organs), only about 25%
of patients may experience symptoms related to the
metastasis before the diagnosis. The most common place for the
disease spread is to the lymph nodes in the posterior part of the
abdomen. Therefore, lower back pain is a frequent symptom of
later-stage testicular cancer. If the cancer has spread to the
lungs, cough, chest pain, and/or shortness of breath can occur.
Hemoptysis (sputum with blood) may also develop.
The
above is a summary of symptoms and signs of testicular
cancer. Keep in mind that some of these symptoms may be caused by other
conditions,
such as testicle injury or testicle infection. Inflammation of the testicle, known as
orchitis, can cause painful swelling. Causes of orchitis include
viral or bacterial infections. About 1 man in 5 who contracts
mumps as an adult experiences orchitis in one or both testes.
However,
it is important to see a physician if any of these symptoms lasts
10 days or longer. Early diagnosis of testicular cancer is extremely
important.
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