Health Tips

Cancer Testicular:-

What is testicular cancer?.
Testis or testicular cancer is a cancer that grows in one or both testicles in men or young boys. Testicular cancer is a high degree of treatment and usually curable form of cancer.

Testicles (also called the testes; on the testis and one testis is also called) are part of the male reproductive system. These two organs, each normally slightly smaller than a golf ball in adult males, and are presented with a bag of skin called the scrotum, which hangs below the penis. Testicles manufacture of male hormones. The most abundant of the hormone testosterone. They also produce sperm and germ cells of males. Sperm cells from the testes are of the vas deferens to the seminal vesicles where they are mixed with fluid produced by the prostate gland. During ejaculation, sperm cells, semen vesicle, and prostatic fluid enter the urethra, the tube in the center of the penis through which both urine and semen out of the body.

Testicles contain several types of cells, each one of them may develop into one or more types of cancer. It is important to distinguish between these types of cancers from each other as they differ in the diagnosis (look to stay alive) in the means of treatment.
Germ cell tumors:-

More than 90% of testicular cancer development in some cells known as germ cells. ( "Germ" and a means of seeds, and the term refers to the role of the male reproductive cells in the production of sperm cells.) There are two main types of germ cell tumors (GCTs) in men: seminomas and nonseminomas. (Later - do I mean the tumor.) Testicular tumors contain many of the features of both types. Because of the way, "mixed" tumors grow and spread, and response to treatment, it is classified as nonseminomas being.

Most invasive cancers, testicular germ cell start in an extended form of the disease called cancer in situ (CIS) or intratubular germ cell neoplasia. Researchers estimate that it takes about 5 years of the Commonwealth of Independent States to progress to the form of invasive cancer of germ cells. When it becomes invasive cancer, and were able to penetrate the cells of the surrounding tissues, and may have spread through either the blood circulation and lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.

Seminoma: -
nearly half of all cancers are germ cell testicular seminomas. Cells that develop from the sperm-producing testicular germ. There are two main features of these tumors is their appearance under the microscope: a typical (or classic) seminomas and seminomas spermatocytic. More than 90% of seminomas model. Spermatocytic most tumors grow very slowly, and usually do not metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). The average age of men who have been diagnosed serminoa spermatocytic is 65 years, about 15 years, and then the average age of men with typical seminomas.

Nonseminoma Germ cells:-
These cancers tend to develop earlier in life than seminomas, usually occurring in men in the 20s. The main types of nonseminoma cancer cells to cancer embryonic germ cells, yolk sac cancer, chorocarcinoma and teratoma. Most tumors are mixed, and at least two different types. This does not change the treatment. All nonseminomatous germ cell tumor treated in the same way. This means that the exact type of nonseminomatous testicular cancer a person has no importance.

Cancer of embryonic stem cells:-
This is the type of nonseminoma germ cell cancer, where the type of embryonic stem cells are the most abundant. It represents about 20% of testicular tumors. I saw under the microscope, can not these tumors are similar to tissues in the fetus very early on. This type of nonseminoma tends to be aggressive, which means that it is likely to metastasize and grow rapidly.

Yolk sac cancer:-
This is so named because their cells are similar to yolk sac of human embryos in early. There are many other names for this type of cancer, including tumors cavity endodermal, infantile cancer emgryonal, or archidoblastoma. Yolk sac cancer is the most common form of testicular cancer in infants and young children. When they occur in your children, these tumors are usually treated successfully. When a yolk sac tumors in adults, but it is more dangerous, especially if they are "pure" (ie they do not contain other types of cells nonseminoma).

Choriocarcinoma:-
This is the kind are very rare and aggressive form of testicular cancer that occurs in adults, which contain two types of cells, cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts. This type of cancer is likely to spread rapidly to distant organs of the body. "Pure" choriocarcinoma does not usually occur in the testes. More often than not, cytrotophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts occur with other types of nonseminoma cells in a mixed germ cell tumor.
Teratomas:-
Teratomas are germ cell tumors with areas which, under the microscope, like each one of the three layers of the developing embryo: the inner surface of the skin (deeper layer), Mesoderm (middle layer) and dermis (outer layer). There are three main types of these tumors: teratoma mature, teratoma immature, and teratoma with malignant transformation. Mature teratomas are benign tumors composed of cells similar to cells from adult tissues. Immature teratomas are the cancer that has spread to other organs. Similar cells in the early embryo. Teratoma with malignant transformation is very rare cancer. These cancers contain some areas that appear to be mature teratomas and other areas that are similar types of cancers that develop outside the testis, in organs such as skin, lungs and intestines.

Cancer tissues:-

Tumors can also arise in the supportive and hormone-producing tissue, or stroma, of the testicles. These are known as tumor tissue tumors gonadal. However, they represent 4% of adult testicular tumors and 20% of testicular tumors in childhood. There are two main types of Leydig cell tumors and Sertoli cell tumors.

Leydig cell tumors: -
Leydig cell tumors develop from Leydig cells of normal (also called interstitial cells) of the testicle. These are the cells that normally produce androgens (male hormones). Leydig cell tumors may occur in adults (75% of cases) or children (25% of cases). And often produce androgens, but in some cases the production of estrogen (female sex hormones). Although most Leydig cell tumors do not spread beyond the testicle, and is cured by surgical excision, and a small number metastasize (spread to other parts of the body). Metastatic Leydig cell tumors have a poor prognosis, because they do not respond well to chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Sertoli cell tumors:-
the development of these tumors from normal cells of the testis of the same name, which support and feed-producing cells of the sperm germ. Such as tumors and Leydig cell they are usually benign, but if it has spread, tend to be resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Secondary testicular tumors:-

Secondary testicular tumors are those that start in another organ and then spread to the testicle. Lymphoma is the most common secondary testicular cancer. Among men over 50 years of age, and testicular lymphoma is more common than primary testicular tumors. And the diagnosis depends on the type and stage of lymphoma. The usual treatment is surgical excision, followed by radiation and / or chemotherapy.

Prostate cancer, lung and skin (melanoma), kidney and other organs can secondarily spread to the testicles. Diagnosis of these cancers is usually poor because these cancers generally spread widely to other organs as well. Treatment depends on the particular type of cancer.

What are the key statistics for testicular cancer?.
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2004 approximately 8,980 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in the United States an estimated 360 men will die of testicular cancer in 2004.

Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of the disease. Studies show that the cure rate exceeding 90% in all stages combined. The 5-year rate of survival for phase 1 and phase 11 testicular cancer is more than 95%. The 5-year rate of survival of 111 stage of the disease, and that the cancer has spread beyond the local lymph nodes, is 75%.

The 5-year rate of survival refers to the percent of patients who live at least 5 years after diagnosis of cancer. Many of these patients live much longer than 5 years after diagnosis, and 5 - year rates are used to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis. Five-year relative survival rates exclude from the accounts of patients dying from other diseases, and are considered to be a more accurate way to describe the diagnosis of patients and that a particular type and stage of cancer. Of course, 5 - year survival rates based on patients diagnosed and initially treated more than 5 years. Improvements in treatment often leads to a more positive outlook for patients recently diagnosed.
What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?.
There is a risk factor is anything that increases a person a chance to get a disease such as cancer. Cancers have different risk factors. For example, unprotected exposure to strong sunlight is a risk factor for skin cancer, smoking is a risk factor for cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder and many other devices. The scientists found that some risk factors that make a person more prone to testicular cancer. Even if a man has one or more risk factors for this disease, it is impossible to know with certainty from a lot of the risk factors that contributed to the development of cancer. In many men with testicular cancer have no known risk factors.

Age:-
Most testicular cancers occur between the ages of 12 and 50. However, you can have an impact on this cancer than males in any age, including infants and the elderly.

Cryptorchidism: -
The most important risk factor for testicular cancer is a condition called cryptorchidism or undescended testicle (s). This term comes from the Greek words meaning kryptos hidden meaning of Orchis testicle. In Jenin, and usually have testes within the abdomen, and goes down into the scrotum before birth. In about 3% of boys, however, the testicles do not make these percentages. Sometimes still testicle in the abdomen, and in other cases, the testis begins to decline but is still stuck in the groin area. About 14% of cases of testicular cancer occur in men who have a history of cryptorchidism. The risk of testicular cancer is somewhat higher for the testes, which were concentrated in the abdominal area, and no one should descend at least part way. In men who have a history of cryptorchidism, and most cancers develop in the testis did not come down, but up to 25% of cases occur in the normally descended testicle. Based on these observations, some doctors conclude that cryptorchidism is not the direct cause of testicular cancer, but some other disorders are responsible for the increased risk of testicular cancer and the prevention of the regular sites and one or both testicles.

Most cryptorchid testicles will eventually descend on their own in the child in the first year. In some cases, surgery known as orchiopexy is necessary to achieve the testis down into the scrotum. Some experts believe that the performance of orchiopexy before puberty may reduce the risk of certain types of tumors germ cells.
Family history:-
family history of testicular cancer increases the risk. If one man has the disease, and there is increased risk that one or more of his brothers will also develop it. A recent study showed that tumors nonseminoma germ cell occurs more frequently among men with certain occupations (miners, oil and gas workers, and workers in leather, food and workers in the manufacture of beverages, cleaners, and facilities). It may be that exposure to certain chemicals contribute to the development of this disease. Studies have not yet identified any specific chemicals as being responsible. Found no correlation between the occupation and the risk of tumors seminoma. And one study found a slightly higher risk of germ cell tumors among men with occupational exposure to very long periods of the temperature hot or cold. However, these professional associations need to confirm other studies before it can conclude that it is an important element of the risk of testicular cancer.
Injury:-
There is no convincing evidence that the injury to the testicles increases the risk of cancer.
Infection with HIV:-
There is some evidence that men infected with HIV (AIDS), especially with AIDS, and are exposed to greater risks. Any other diseases, has proven to be an increased risk of testicular cancer.

Carcinoma in situ:-
This condition does not lead to the formation of a cluster or cause any symptoms. Cancer in situ (CIS) in the testicles almost always progress to cancer. In some cases, disclosure of the Commonwealth of Independent States in men who underwent testicular biopsy during medical evaluation of infertility.

Other testicular cancer:-
There is a history of testicular cancer is another factor of risk. Men who were treated for testicular cancer in one have an increased risk of testicular cancer in the other.

Race and ethnicity:-
The risk of testicular cancer in white American men is about five times that of African-American men and more than double the number of men Asia and America. Latin is the risk of compromise between Asians and non-Hispanic whites. The reason for this different is not known. The risk of testicular cancer has more than doubled among white Americans in the past 40 years, but remained the same since the African-American men.

In all parts of the world, the risk of this disease is higher among men living in the intensity of operations in the United States, Britain and the Scandinavian countries, and the lowest among African countries and Asian men.

Maternal hormone use:-
despite the fact that men whose mothers took the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy face an increased risk of certain birth (at birth) abnormalities of the reproductive system, there is no convincing evidence that DES exposure significantly increases the risk of men developing testicular cancer.
Vasectomy:-
Some previous studies raised the possibility that vasectomy (a process for the production of sterility) might increase the risk of testicular cancer. However, recent studies have not found any increased risk among men who have this operation.

We do not know what causes testicular cancer?.
The precise cause of most cases of testicular cancer is unknown. However, scientists have found that this disease is linked to a number of other conditions, which are described in the section "What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?" A great deal of research is under way to find out more about the reasons.

During the past few years, researchers have learned much about certain changes in the chromosomes and DNA that may be responsible for causing testicular germ cells to develop normal germ cells into tumors.

Chromosome is a microscopic piece of DNA and proteins that carry the genetic information of heredity. Each sperm or egg cell chromosomes and a half many of the cells of the body and others. Therefore, when you combine eggs and sperm, the resulting embryo to the normal number of chromosomes - half from each parent. This is why we tend to resemble our parents.

Division is the process by which germ cells with 46 chromosomes develop into sperm or egg cells with 23 chromosomes. There is evidence that testicular germ cell tumors may form when there is something abnormal happens during the division. Rather than the formation of sperm cells with normal chromosome 23, all 46 chromosomes still exist. Usually, these chromosomes become unstable and progressively more normal in shape and number (which is often between 69 and 82). Changes on chromosome 12 are particularly common, and scientists studying the DNA of this chromosome to learn more about exactly what went wrong during the division and how this can be prevented or reversed.

Can be prevented from testicular cancer be?.
The most important known risk factors, cryptorchidism, and the white race, and family history of the disease, the inevitable because they are at birth. Also, a lot of men with testicular cancer have no known risk factors. For these reasons, it is not currently possible to prevent most cases of this disease.
Can be found on the testicular cancer early?.
Could be that most cases of testicular cancer can be found in an early stage. In some cases, early testicular cancers cause symptoms that lead men to get medical care. Unfortunately, however, there may be some testicular cancers do not cause symptoms until after reaching an advanced stage, and other causes a lot of symptoms that appear to be due to diseases other than cancer.

Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer:-

In about 90% of cases, men have a painless or uncomfortable swelling in the testicles, or they may notice the expansion or swelling of the testicle. Men with testicular cancer report a sensation in the often large or pain in the lower abdomen or scrotum.

In rare cases, men with germ cell cancer notice breast tenderness or the growth of breast cancer. The symptoms of this results from the fact that certain types of germ cell tumors secrete high levels of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which affects the development of breast cancer. Blood tests can measure levels of the HCG; of these tests are important in diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of some testicular cancers.

Testicular Leydig cell tumors and Sertoli cell tumors often leads to destruction, which can be distinguished from germ cell tumor only by examination of the tumor under the microscope. However, comes Sertoli cell or Leydig cell tumors produce androgens (male hormones) or estrogens (female sex hormones). These hormones may cause symptoms that provide evidence of a correct diagnosis. Estorgen producing tumors may not cause any specific symptoms in men, but boys in it can cause growth of facial hair and body abnormally early age.

Even when testicular cancer has spread to other organs, only about 1 man in 4 may experience symptoms related to metastases before the diagnosis. Lower back pain is a symptom of frequent later stage testicular cancer. If the cancer has spread to the lungs, and an advanced stage, and shortness of breath, had chest pain, cough, sputum or the development of blood vessels.

Some men with testicular cancer have no symptoms at all, cancer is found during the medical examination for the treatment of other diseases. In some cases, and imaging tests done to know the cause of infertility and can detect small testicular cancer. Or, testicular biopsies to evaluate infertile men with cancer may find the site.

There are a number of conditions are noncancerous, such as injury to the testicles, which can produce symptoms similar to those of testicular cancer. Inflammation of the testicles, known as orchitis, can cause painful swelling. The causes of orchitis include viral or bacterial infections. 1 man in about 5 who contracts mumps as an adult experiences in the testis and one or both testicles.

If you have any of the symptoms described above, or sing, discussed with a doctor without delay. Remember, whenever you receive an accurate diagnosis, and the sooner you can start treatment and more effective your treatment will be.
Testicular examination:-

Check doctors agree that the man testis is an important part of the physical examination of the year. American Society of testicular cancer includes the examination in its recommendations for the detection of cancer related to routine medical examinations.

Question of self-examination of the normal testis is more controversial. American Cancer Society believes it is important to make men more aware of testicular cancer, and remind them that any destruction of the testicles should be evaluated by a doctor without delay. Some doctors feel that the delay in seeking medical attention after the discovery of a cluster is the most common reason for delays in treatment. Other doctors feel that the masses do not realize immediately is also an important factor in the delay of treatment and they recommen monthly testicular self-examination by all men after the age of puberty. ACD does not feel that men with average risk of testicular cancer, there is no medical evidence indicates that the test per month, or more effective than simple awareness and prompt medical evaluation. However, the choices of whether or not to perform this examination should be made by each man, so instructions for testicular examination are included in this section. This is because men with certain risk factors (cryptorchidism, germ cell cancer earlier on one side or a family history) have an increased risk of testicular cancer, and monthly examinations should be seriously considered for these men and the Association proposes to discuss this issue with their physicians.

If you are planning to perform self-examination the best time to do so during or after bathing, when the skin of the scrotum and relaxation. Stand in front of a mirror and hold the penis out of the road. Examine each testicle separately. A testicle between the thumb and fingers with both hands and gently roll between the fingers. The look and feel for any hard lumps or nodules (smooth rounded masses), or any change in the size, shape, or consistency of the testicles. Consult a doctor if you detest no signs of disturbing. Be aware that testicles contain blood vessels and supporting tissues, and tubes that conduct sperm, and some men may confuse these with cancer. If you have any doubts, ask your doctor.

How is the diagnosis of testicular cancer?.
If any of the signs or symptoms discussed in the section "can not be found on the testicular cancer early?" Indicate that this disease may be present, and more medical procedures and there will be a need for an accurate diagnosis.

History and physical examination:-
The first step is for the doctor to take a complete medical history to ascertain the risk factors and symptoms. During a physical exam, the doctor will feel the testicles to detect any sign of swelling or pain, and the size and location of any destruction. The doctor will also examine the abdomen to feel for enlarged lymph nodes, which is a sign that the cancer has spread to lymph nodes, retroperitoneal (lymph nodes found in the back of the abdomen).

Ultrasound:-
A cluster or if a nodule is present, the doctor may want to see ultrasound of the testicle to assist in determining whether it is likely to be cancer. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create an "echo" of the internal organs. The pattern of echoes reflected by tissues can be useful in distinguishing hydrocele (a fluid accumulation around the testicle) and some benign masses from cancers. If the tumor is solid, then it is probably cancer.

Blood tests: -
Certain blood tests are sometimes useful in the diagnosis of testicular tumors. Some testicular cancers secrete high levels of certain proteins such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), gonadotropin human chorionic (HCG), or placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP). Tumors may also increase the levels of enzymes such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Nonseminomas often raise the levels of AFP, while seminomas do not. LDH, HCG, and PLAP levels are increased in some seminomas and nonseminoma germ cell testicular cancer. This material is not produced by Sertoli or Leydig cell tumors. Blood tests can measure levels of these substances in the serum (liquid part of blood).

These proteins are not usually elevated in the plasma if the tumor is small. Therefore, these tests are also useful in assessing the extent and having a lot of cancer, and predicted a patient's diagnosis, and assessment of response to treatment to make sure that the tumor has not returned.

Surgery:-
If a suspicious growth was found, and the surgeon will need to remove the tumor and sent to the laboratory. There is a pathologist (a doctor specializing in laboratory diagnosis of disease) seen in this tissue under a microscope. If the cancer cells are present, the forensic doctor sends a report describing the type and extent of spread of cancer.

Whenever possible, surgeons try to remove the tumor completely with the testis and the spermatic cord. Eachspermatic umbilical cord contains one deferens value-added services, through a tube of sperm cells that reach the seminal vesicles for storage until ejaculation. And even more importantly, the spermatic cord contains blood vessels and lymph nodes that can be a way to detect testicular cancer to spread to other parts of the body. This is done through surgery in the inguinal (groin) area. This surgical strategy reduces the risk of cancer cells that spread during the operation.

In rare cases, a diagnosis of testicular cancer is uncertain, the doctor can biopsy before removing the testicle. During this process, the surgeon makes a crack in the groin, pulled from the testes in the scrotum, and looking without cutting the spermatic cord. If suspicious tissue is seen, and part of the fabric is removed immediately, and examined by a forensic physician. If the cancer is found on the testis and the spermatic cord are removed. If destruction is not cancerous, the testicle can often be returned to the scrotum, the treatment will include surgery to remove only the destruction or the use of appropriate medicines.