Testicular Cancer Essays - Mens Health, Scrotum, Testicle

Testicular Cancer 1. Introduction The testicles are male sex glands. They are located behind the penis in a pouch of skin called the scrotum. The testicles produce and store sperm, and they are also the body's main source of male hormones. These hormones control the development of the reproductive organs and other male characteristics, such as body and facial hair, low voice, and wide shoulders. Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases. Although each kind differs from the other in many ways, every type of cancer is a disease of some body ?s cells. Testicular cancer is a disease in which cells become malignant (cancerous) in one or both testicles. Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in young men between the ages of 15 and 35, but the disease also occurs in other age groups, so all men should be aware of its symptoms. While testicles cancer is common among young men, young men typically do not get a lot of cancer, so overall testicular cancer is a relatively rare disease. In the year 2000, an estimated 7600 cases of testicular cancer are diagnosed in the United States, and a little less than 400 of them died. Caucasians are more likely to get it than Blacks or Asians. Disturbingly, the incidence of testicular cancer around the world has basically doubled in the past 30 to 40 years. Testicular cancer can be broadly classified into two types: seminoma and nonseminoma. Senomas make up of 30 percent of all testicular cancers. Nonsminoma are a group cancers that include choriocarcinoma, embryonic carcinoma, teratoma, and yolk sac tumors. A testicular cancer may have a combination of both types. 2. Causes So far, research has not shown a connection between testicular cancer and any particular habits, activities, or lifestyle, there is evidence that the risk of testicular cancer is higher in whose testicles did not descend normally- that is, move down from lower abdomen into the scrotum, for this reason, surgery is often performed to correct this problem before the testicle has been left undecided for very long. It has even said that the risk o testicular cancer may by higher in men infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, but evidence for this is weak. Although the exact causes are not known, there several predisposing factors may place some men higher risk, these include past medical history of undescended testicle, mumps orchitis, ingunal hernia during childhood, or previous testicular cancer on other side. Frequently, testicular tumors are noted after an episode of trauma however, trauma is not believed to be a causative or predisposing factor. Testicular cancer is not contagious, no one can catch it form another person. Exactly what cause this disease is unknown and seldom can it be explained why one person gets it while another doesn't. Research does show that some men are more likely than other to develop cancer. For example, the risk is higher than average for boys born with their testicles in the lower abdomen rather than in the scotrum. The cancer risk for boys with these conditions is increased regardless of whether the condition is corrected, and in fact, the risk exists even in the normal testicle. The theory is that the increased risk of testicular cancer is due to whatever caused the undescended testicles, not just by the fact that the testicles was undescended. Some men whose mother took a hormone called DES (diethylstilbestrol) during pregnancy to prevent miscarriage have testicular abnormalities. But scientists have never proven that prenatal exposure to DES (or any other female hormone) increases the risk of testicular cancer. Some patients with testicular cancer have a history of injury to the scrotum. But again, no one whether such an injury can cause cancer. Many doctors think such an injury simply calls attention to a tumor that was already growing. 3. Symptoms Testicular cancer can cause a number of symptoms. Listed below are warning signs that males should watch for: 1.A lump in either testicle 2.Any enlargement of a testicle; 3.A significant shrinking of a testicle; 4.A change in the consistency of a testicle (hardness); 5.A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum; 6.A dull ache in the lower abdomen or in the groin; 7.A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum; 8.Pain or discomfort