Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15–35 and is highly curable, with long-term survival > 95%. It usually presents as a painless lump or swelling of the testicle.
CONDITIONS
Testicular Cancer
Common Risk Factors
• Family or personal history of testicular cancer
• Undescended testis (past or present)
• Klinefelter syndrome
• Gonadal dysgenesis
• Impaired sperm production / infertility
• Microlithiasis (if combined with other risk factors above)
How We Diagnose Testicular Cancer
• Physical examination
• Imaging – testicular ultrasound, and MRI in certain cases
• Blood – testicular tumour markers (AFP, β-hCG, LDH)
• CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis if cancer is confirmed
How We Treat Testicular Cancer
• Sperm banking (fertility preservation) – discussed and arranged before treatment where appropriate
• Surgery – removal of the testicle through the groin, with potential insertion of a testicular prosthesis
• Surveillance after surgery for early disease – tumour markers and CT scans
• Chemotherapy – used when disease has spread beyond the testicle
• Radiotherapy – very limited role
• Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) – in selected cases where cancer has spread to the lymph glands in the abdomen
