Testicular Cancer Specialist

What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer affects the testicles or testis, the male glands in your scrotum that sit below the penis. Your testicles are responsible for producing sperm and sex hormones.

The two types of testicular cancer include:

Nonseminoma

Nonseminima tumors typically develop in young males and can grow and spread quickly.

Seminoma

Seminoma is a common cell type of cancer that can occur in males of all ages and are less aggressive than nonseminoma tumors.

Both types of testicular cancer are rare but generally affect males between 15 and 35.

You may be at increased risk for testicular cancer if you have a family history of the disease or have an undescended testicle. In this condition, the testicle didn’t drop down from your abdomen into the scrotum before you were born.

What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?

Healthy testicles have a firm, spongy feel through the gland and are generally the same size. Any enlargement of the testis may be an indication you have testicular cancer. Typically, this type of cancer only affects one testicle.

Other common symptoms of testicular cancer include:

• Lumps
• Swelling
• Persistent pain
• Dull abdominal ache
• Collection of fluid in the scrotum
• Male breast enlargement

Any of these noticeable symptoms require an evaluation with the team at Greater Houston Radiation Oncology. Testicular cancer is easily treatable, especially in the earliest stages.

How is testicular cancer diagnosed?

The Greater Houston Radiation Oncology offers in-office diagnostic testing like:

Ultrasound

To determine if a lump in your testicle is cancerous, the team at Greater Houston Radiation Oncology uses ultrasound imaging. This noninvasive test can determine if you have a fluid-filled or a solid mass.

Blood testing

Blood testing determines if there are tumor markers in your blood. These markers are substances normally in your blood but are at higher levels if you have cancer or another underlying health condition.

Surgery

In some cases, you may need surgery to remove your testicle for additional evaluation of the lump to confirm or rule out cancer.

How is testicular cancer treated?

Your treatment plan for testicular cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease. The team offers several treatment options, including:

Surgery

Surgery to remove your testicles or surrounding lymph nodes is a conventional treatment for all types of cancer and uses only a small incision in your groin to remove the testis and its glands.

Radiation

The physicians use several types of radiation therapies that use high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells. Options include:

• Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D CRT)
• Four-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (4D CRT)
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
• RapidArc – Volumetric Arc Therapy
• Image Guidance Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medications to kill cancer cells. You may need chemotherapy as your sole treatment or as a follow-up treatment to surgery to destroy all cancer cells.

To learn more about testicular cancer treatment options, call Greater Houston Radiation Oncology or schedule a consultation online today.