Testicular Cancer Center

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 testicular cancer is common among young men, young men typically do not develop any kind of cancer, so overall, testicular cancer is a relatively rare disease. This form of cancer is almost always curable if it is found early. Most testicular cancers are found by men themselves, either as a painless lump, a hardening or change in size of the testicle, or pain in the testicle. Children born with an undescended testicle have an increased risk of getting testicular cancer, regardless of whether surgery is done to correct the problem. However, the surgery should still be done to preserve fertility. The theory is that the increased risk of testicular cancer is due to whatever caused the undescended testicle, not just by the fact that the testicle was undescended.

In the year 2000, an estimated 7,600 cases of testicular cancer were diagnosed in the United States. Caucasians are more likely to get it than Hispanics, and much more likely to get it than African Americans or Asians. The incidence of testicular cancer is highest in Denmark, and lowest in the Far East. Disturbingly, the incidence of testicular cancer around the world has basically doubled in the past 30-40 years. However, the cure rate in testicular cancer has risen dramatically over that same time period. In 1970, ninety percent of men with metastatic testicular cancer died of the disease. By 1990, with the introduction of chemotherapy drugs the ratio is reversed, with about ninety percent of men who have metastatic testicular cancer surviving.

Research has also shown that testicular cancer is sometimes linked to certain other rare conditions in which the testicles do not develop normally. There is even some line of thought that pollutants may be contributing to this problem, evidenced by the considerable increase in occurrences over the last few decades and paralleled with industrial growth and waste. Some patients with testicular cancer have a history of injury to the scrotum. But again, no one knows whether such an injury can actually cause cancer. Many doctors think such an injury simply calls attention to a tumor that was already growing.

At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, we use many tools to help you fight testicular cancer on all fronts. A powerful combination of traditional and new, innovative therapies are provided by cancer experts who work with you to determine the appropriate combination of therapies, which may include:

• Surgery is often performed to remove tumors of the testicle whenever practical. Surgery may help prevent future complications, such as blockage or bleeding.
• Fractionated Dose Chemotherapy divides a powerful dose of drugs into smaller doses, given over several days. This approach exposes cancer cells to the drugs for a longer period of time, while also seeking to reduce the unpleasant side effects often experienced with larger doses.
• Biotherapy / Immunotherapy is a treatment that is sometimes used for testicular cancer. Immunotherapy causes the body's own natural defenses (immune system) to attack the cancer.

In addition the therapies described above, CTCA enriches your treatment by offering complementary and alternative therapies such as naturopathic medicine, nutritional therapy, mind-body medicine, image enhancement and spiritual support. CTCA is with you every step of the way in what truly is the fight of your life.