A testicular tumor is a progressive malignant process in the testicle lining, which, ultimately, leads to impaired function of this organ.
Etiology of the disease
After some diagnostic studies, it was revealed that a number of factors can affect the development of oncopathology of the male reproductive system. However, accurate evidence has not yet been found, and the disease can be considered polyetiological.
Factors that increase the likelihood of testicular cancer are:
- genetic predisposition (the presence of a tumor in the father, brother or grandfather);
- transferred testicular tumor in men;
- prevention of the testicle in the scrotum ;
- Anomalies in the development of the male reproductive system of an innate nature;
- repeated injuries of the scrotum.
Pathogenesis of the disease
The testicles are the male sex gland, which is involved in the formation and maturation of sperm, male sex secretion and testosterone. A testicular tumor in men begins to develop in one of the membranes of the organ. The etiological factor starts this process, but, as a rule, it is not one. It takes a long exposure to the main factor and many additional factors. For example, a nervous breakdown, a climate change, a hormonal malfunction or trauma, a rapid increase in body weight or immune deficiency - all these are additional factors of influence leading to a weakening of the body. In general, in order to start the process of oncotransformation of cells at the very moment, it is necessary that many factors converge “at one point”, but one of them will be the main one.
Further, the testicle membrane begins to transform, instead of normal cells, atypical ones intensely appear - the oncogenesis process is started. The rest is only a matter of time.
As the tumor grows in size, new clinical symptoms begin to appear - the process progresses and metastasizes.
Testicular tumor: symptoms
Genital cancer is one of the few diseases that may not manifest itself with clinical signs for a long time. However, often testicular cancer begins with a feeling of some discomfort in the perineum and scrotum. A symptom of heaviness and “sipping” of the testicle appears, it increases in volume. Then the pain syndrome grows, and the scrotum increases more and more. Patients complain of intense pain in the lower abdomen, groin and perineum, which can give off to the buttocks and thighs. A change in the color of the testicle may also occur, small ulcers and areas of necrosis can be detected on the surface.
How to diagnose a testicular tumor in men?
The first thing to do is to collect a complete medical history from the patient. Ask him in detail about the disturbing feelings and how long they started, about what drugs he took at home, what he was sick with during his life and what his closest male relatives were sick with.
After a complete visual examination, it is necessary to palpate the rectum.
Laboratory diagnostic tests for testicular cancer are of great importance, because they allow you to accurately determine the stage of the process, and therefore, start adequate therapy.
Currently, blood tests for specific cancer markers are used to diagnose cancer pathology. These are protein substances that appear in the bloodstream in response to the intensive growth of cancer cells.
Next, you need to conduct ultrasound diagnostics of the scrotum, if necessary, you can resort to computed tomography.
An obligatory method for the study of testicular cancer is a biopsy - the collection of biological material to confirm the malignant process.
If the diagnosis is made, then it is necessary to begin treatment of the patient.
A testicular tumor in men is treated in three main areas:
- surgical removal of the tumor;
- radiation therapy;
- chemotherapy.
Most often, combination therapy is used, but the appropriateness of a particular method is decided by the attending physician depending on the stage of the process and the age of the patient.