The facts

Discovering a lump in your testicle does not mean you have cancer. Lumps can occur for a number of reasons, infection for instance, but it is important to seek medical advice. Men are notoriously bad at seeing doctors especially if it involves parts of the body usually hidden from general view.

Many men have died from conditions, especially cancers, that are very responsive to treatment and can be cured. 

You may be concerned that treatment could compromise your ability to perform sexually and have children? The aim of treating testicular cancer is to cure you, so the ability to maintain an erection should not be affected. You only need one testicle to be fertile, but if you do have concerns, it is worth knowing that sperm can be stored for artificial insemination at a later date.

The facts about testicular cancer

Seminoma (40%) is the most common subtype. Nonseminoma subtype account for the rest and include teratocarcinoma and embryonal cell carcinoma. Pure choriocarcinoma and pure yolk sac tumors are rare.

The stages of testicular cancer

The type of cancer, the tumor markers and clinical findings, will lead most experienced pathologists/doctors in large treatment centers to make the correct diagnosis. The clinical findings will determine the stage that the testicular cancer has reached. All this information will influence the treatment that is required.

The stages are described in the following ways:

Stage I. the cancer is confined to the testicle.
Stage II. the cancer has spread into the lymph nodes in the abdomen.
Stage III. the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. 
Recurrent. the cancer has returned after treatment.

The treatment of testicular cancer

The aim of treatment is to cure the cancer, the treatment options can include all or some of the following interventions:

Surgery
The affected testicle is always removed. A prosthesis can be inserted the same weight and shape as the testicle if it is felt to be important. If the cancer involves the lymphatic system them surgery can be used to remove all the affected nodes in the groin and abdomen. 

Radiotherapy This can be used to kill off cancer cells. It can affect fertility, but the effect is not necessarily permanent and sperm production does return. There are side effects with radiotherapy such as fatigue, nausea and diarrhea.

Chemotherapy
If cancer has spread from the testicle to the lymph nodes chemotherapy is often used. The regime usually involves a cocktail of 3 types and have been found to be very effective. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink a cancerous tumor prior to surgery.

The drugs are carried in the bloodstream so they affect systems of the body as well as the cancerous area. Side effects are common and can be unpleasant and may include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, diarrhea, shortness of breath, mouth sores, and depression of bone marrow production. Sterility is also a side effect so you should discuss this with your doctor prior to treatment.

Emotional support
To be told you have cancer is traumatic. When the cancer involves the scrotal area it can be more difficult as it may affect self image, fertility and sexual performance. Family support, support from medical professionals are important to making a good recovery from testicular cancer.

Finally
If you discover a lump in your testicle go to a doctor, remember that testicular cancer has a high cure rate and early detection gives you the best chance of a cure.