The Etiology of Testicular Cancer - Research Paper Example

? Testicular Cancer Introduction Testicular cancer is a common type of cancer found in men. This affects the testicles, the major part of the male reproductive system. The two types of testicular cancer include seminomas and non-seminomas. Nearly 7,500-8,000 new cases of testicular cancer are reported each year in the United States whereas this figure is roughly 2,000 in the United Kingdom (Cancer Facts & Figures 2010; Testicular cancer statistics). For a man, the risk of developing testicular cancer over his lifetime is approximately 1 in 250. As compared to other types of cancers, testicular cancer has high cure rates. Clinical practitioners claim that testicular cancer will be 100 percent curable if it has not metastasized. Even in cases where malignant cancer has spread severely, the modern chemotherapy techniques offer a minimum cure rate of 80%. Often, testicular cancer is not diagnosed until it has spread because it is asymptomatic in its early phases of development. This paper will discuss definition, background, symptoms, prognosis, and treatment of testicular cancer. Definition There is no common definition for testicular cancer. Different healthcare bodies and authors define this disease differently. The Mayo Clinic defines testicular cancer as a type of cancer that “occurs in the testicles (testes), which are located inside the scrotum, a loose bag of skin underneath the penis” (Mayo staff). And another definition is, “testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in men between 15 and 35 years of age” (Billings, 2008, p.591). Background/etiology While analyzing the etiology of testicular cancer, it is identified that familial testicular cancer is very rare. According to a study by National Cancer Institute, familial causes of testicular cancer account for nearly 1-3%. A man is at increased risk of developing testicular cancer if his brothers have a history of this disease. Those people have 8-10 times more possibility to develop testicular cancer than individuals who do not have a brother with this disease. Sons of men with a history of testicular cancer are also more likely to develop this disease than other individuals (National Cancer Institute). As mentioned already, age can have a great influence on the development of cancer. It is observed that men aged between 15 and 35 are more vulnerable to this disease. Researchers indicate that testicular cancer has increased over the century although they cannot clearly state the reason for this increase. Statistical data reflect that race can be a key factor determining the incidence rate of this disorder. For instance, the number of testicular cancer cases reported is higher in Caucasians as compared to African Americans in the United States (Health concerns, n. d.). Symptoms Physicians say that lump or swelling in the testes is one of the major signs in the early stages of development. According to Edlin and Golanty (2012, p. 297), a lump in one testis is another commonly observed symptom of testicular cancer; it may or may not be painful. In some patients, dull ache or sharp pain in the lower abdomen appear as symptoms of testicular cancer. A feeling described by many patients as ‘heaviness’ in the scrotum is also a major symptom. Gynecomastia, or breast enlargement caused by the hormonal effects of ?-hCG, is identified to be one of the symptoms of this disease (Edlin & Golanty, 2012, p. 297). In some individuals with testicular cancer, a rapid collection of fluid in the scrotum is observed. Often, patients with testicular cancer feel low back pain because tumor might have spread to the lymph nodes. In some recent studies, it has been revealed that lack of energy, fever, and sweating for no reason might be the symptoms of testicular cancer. In addition, headache, dementia, or confusion may also appear as the symptoms of this disease. Testicular cancer is less likely to spread to other organs of the body, apart from the lungs. However, if it happens, some additional symptoms may be present. Those symptoms include coughing up blood (hemoptysis) and shortness of breath (dyspnea). In addition, a lump in the neck may also be observed. Treatment Advanced treatment methods have been developed for testicular cancer. Currently, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the three basic types of treatments available for testicular cancer (Recurrent Testicular Cancer). Treatment methods deployed may vary depend on the stage of the disease. In the initial stage of testicular cancer, surgery is performed by urologists to remove the affected testis. Generally, urologists do not try to remove only testicular cancer tumors and keep the affected testis functional, because this procedure may increase the risk of developing another cancer in testis in future. Since only one testis is enough to perform essential male functions, the affected testis is removed in most cases in order to avoid future risks. This procedure is called inguinal orchiectomy. Adjuvant treatment is also offered to the victims of testicular cancer because of the possibility that this disease may spread to other organs. This treatment is provided in the form of chemotherapy or radiotherapy in order to destroy cancerous cells that may be present outside the affected testis. The type of adjuvant treatment greatly depends on the histology of the tumor. If the cancer is not spread to other organs, patients are treated with careful surveillance and periodical CT scans and blood tests are performed to replace the adjuvant treatment. Radiation therapy is employed to treat stage 2 seminoma cancers and this technique is administered by radiation oncologists. This technique is useful to prevent the existence and spread of non-detectable tumors. However, radiation therapy is ineffective against nonseminoma cancers. For this type of cancer, chemotherapy is commonly employed. Physicians opine that chemotherapy is the best method to treat testicular cancer when cancerous tumors have spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy is performed by medical oncologists. Prognosis Significant advancements in modern medicine have greatly improved the prognosis of testicular cancer. Several studies have identified sustained response to testicular cancer treatment in over 90% cases regardless of stage differences. As discussed already, surgery can cure testicular cancer completely if patients seek physician’s assistance at early stages of the disease. Once the surgery is completed, patients undergo continuous surveillance depending on the type of cancer (seminoma or non-seminoma). This approach is helpful to avoid more complex procedures like radiation therapy or chemotherapy although patients need to be prepared for a prolonged period of visits and checks under this method. Although surveillance tests usually include physical examination, blood tests, chest x-rays, and CT scans, a surveillance program’s requirement may differ in accordance with the type of the disease. A man who has undergone inguinal orchiectomy can lead a normal life with his remaining testis because one testis is enough to manage testosterone production and to maintain adequate fertility. Physicians insist patients who still plan to have children to measure hormone levels before the inguinal orchiectomy procedure because removal of one testis will probably lessen the fertility. Evidences also indicate that a man’s fertility may be severely impacted if he undergoes chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Researches claim that less than five percent of people who have diagnosed with testicular cancer are under the risk of developing it again in their remaining testis. A victim who has lost both his testes due to this disease needs to get hormone supplements, particularly testosterone. Although the victim will become infertile, he can lead a normal life in all other ways. Conclusion From the above discussion, it is clear that testicular cancer is the most common type cancer found in young men. Age and race can significantly affect its incidence rate. This disease has high curability rate (over 90%) on the strengths of recent advancements in medicine. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the major techniques available for treating testicular cancer. References Billings, D. M. (2008). Lippincott's Content Review for NCLEX-RN. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Cancer Facts & Figures 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2013from http://www.cancer.org/research/cancerfactsfigures/cancerfactsfigures/cancer-facts-and-figures-2010 Edlin, G. & Golanty, E. (2012). Health & Wellness. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. 17 March 2013 Health concerns. (n.d). Testicular Cancer. Retrieved 17 March 2013 from http://www.emcom.ca/health/testicular.shtml Mayo Staff. (n.d). Testicular cancer. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 17 March 2013 From http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/testicular-cancer/DS00046 National Cancer Institute. (n.d). Testicular Home. Retrieved 17 March 2013 from http://familial-testicular-cancer.cancer.gov/background.html Recurrent Testicular Cancer. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 17 March 2013 from http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/testicular/HealthProfessional/page8 Testicular cancer statistics. Cancer Research UK. Retrieved 17 March 2013 from http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/types/testis/ Read More