They constitute 2% of cancers in men. The rate of developing testicular cancer in a man’s entire life is “2 per thousand”. It is most common in young men between the ages of 15 and 35. It is seen less frequently between the ages of 50-60 and in childhood. The most common cause is that the ovary does not descend to its normal place in the bag. These patients have a 25 times higher risk of cancer than normal. Therefore, the ovaries of children whose testicles are not in their normal place should be deflated at the first opportunity from the age of 1 year. Half of patients with cancer have a history of undescended testicles. It is seen slightly more in the right testis.
The probability of occurrence in both testicles is 2-3%. In addition, it is thought that various infections and inflammations and trauma in the testis may trigger the development of cancer. The use of certain drugs, especially female hormones, during pregnancy also increases the risk. The influence of race is also seen.
For example, it is high in Scandinavia and low in Africa and Asia. The most common symptoms are enlargement or stiffness in the ovary, swelling of the bag, a feeling of pulling down and heaviness, sometimes blunt and prolonged pain.
Patients with testicular cancer apply to a urologist only 2 months after the onset of these symptoms. Diagnosis is made by the doctor’s manual examination, as well as ultrasound and some blood tests. LDH, PLAP and gamma-GT tests are performed together with AFP and beta-hCG tests, which are called tumor markers. In doubtful cases, the ovary should be removed quickly and completely. Unlike other organs, biopsy is not preferred in the testis. Removal of the ovary as soon as possible is necessary both for diagnosis and as the most important step of treatment.
Testicular cancer is one of the most responsive to treatment among cancers in the human body. As always, the treatment of tumors detected at an early stage is very successful. However, patients present with an average delay of 3 months, and metastases occurred in two-thirds of the patients at the time of first admission. It is most common to the lungs and lymph nodes, sometimes to the liver and bones. Some types of tumors are more aggressive. Surgical removal of the ovary is the main element of treatment. It gives a high chance of treatment even in advanced cancer, as the cells respond well to drug or radiation therapy and the young male body’s resistance to heavy treatments. The death rate, which was 50% in the past, has decreased to 10% today. The most critical time of the disease is the first 3 years.