The most common symptom of testicular cancer, the most common tumor among men aged 15 to 35 years.
He testicular cancer It is one of the least common tumors in the population, accounting for only 1% of all cancers in men, and is also one of the tumors that makes a difference. Higher cure rates with early diagnosis or in the initial stages of the disease. Therefore, it is very important to know your symptoms and go to the doctor at the first suspicion.
In Spain, according to Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)they are expected to be diagnosed within a year about 1,500 new cases of testicular cancerbeing the most common tumor in young men, especially between the ages of 15 and 35 years. It is for this reason that due to the very young age of the patients, although rare, it has a significant impact on those who suffer from it.
The key to early diagnosis lies in awareness and regular self-examination techniques to identify changes and detect warning signs. “Self-examination is essential to detect testicular cancer in its early stages,” explains Dr. Carlos Nunez Mora, Director of the Urological Surgery Service at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Madrid – Hospiten.
Although this type of cancer, the doctor adds, “usually responds favorably to chemotherapy, even in advanced stages.” early diagnosis “This allows us to avoid more aggressive treatment and helps preserve the patient’s fertility. Infertility can be one of the possible consequences of this tumor.”
As the doctor explains, there is two main risk groups who are more likely to get testicular cancer. First, men with a first-degree family history of this type of cancer, such as parents or brothers, and second, those men who had or have a history of cryptorchidism (a condition in which one or both testicles do not descend naturally into the scrotum during childhood, remaining in the abdomen or groin).
In particular, the doctor adds, “this condition, if not corrected surgically in childhood, increases the risk of developing testicular cancer in adulthood due to factors associated with increased abdominal temperature, which can interfere with normal cellular development of the testicle.” .
However, it is important that all men, whether they have a history or not, seek advice if they have any suspicious symptoms of testicular cancer, which we will detail below.
Symptoms of testicular cancer
Just as it is important for women to examine their breasts themselves, it is important for men to touch and palpate their testicles because “The most common symptom is the appearance of a testicular nodule. unintentionally, it is detected by touch,” says the doctor.
“The most common symptom is the appearance of a painless node in the testicle, detectable by touch.”
As he explained to laSexta Dr. Juan Manuel Corral Molina, urologist at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona“the person is not used to self-examination of the testicles and this is important in order to detect small “lumps” which are sometimes the first sign of suspected testicular tumor.
It is important, explains Dr. Nunez, that “most testicular masses are benign,” but despite this, if any symptoms appear, it is advisable to consult a urologist.
Apart from the appearance of a lump, other warning signs of testicular cancer include a feeling of heaviness, pain or discomfort in the scrotum, lower back or abdomen, or the appearance of bruising or inflammation,” the expert continues, insisting that if you have any of these symptoms, you should seek advice.
So these will be all symptomstesticular cancer Why should you consult a doctor?
- The appearance of a painless node in the testicle, detectable to the touch (the most common symptom).
- Feeling of heaviness
- Pain or discomfort in the scrotum
- Lower back or abdominal pain
- The appearance of bruises or inflammation.
“Testicular cancer is one of the cancers with the highest cure rate if detected early, and the key to early diagnosis lies in self-examination,” Dr. Nunez insists and concludes.