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This deadly disease affects boys and young men. When detected early, it is completely curable. That is why every man should examine his testicles himself at least once a month. Detecting a change quickly can save your life. Each week of delay in starting therapy reduces the chances of recovery.
Testicular cancer is a threat to young men, especially between the ages of 15 and 40. It is the most common malignant tumor in men between the ages of 20 and 35. It is easy to detect with a finger scan. An early detected tumor is excised and treatment ends there. – Unfortunately, this cancer grows quickly and metastasizes, and then the treatment is not so simple and not always successful – warns the urologist Dr. Jan Karol Wolski from the Warsaw Cancer Center.
A tumor on the testicle
– The largest tumor that I saw in my medical practice was the size of a melon. The patient reported to the doctor because – as he claimed – he was disturbing to ride a motorbike – says Dr. Wolski. She adds that it often happens that partners find testicular anomalies during sexual contact. The testicles of an adult male have a volume of 15 to 25 ml. Each anomaly requires a medical consultation.
Painless enlargement of the testicle
– The problem is that the tumor does not hurt. Therefore, patients often disregard changes in the testicles. Meanwhile, any swelling or enlargement of the testicle should be consulted with a urologist – explains Dr. Wolski. He adds that every day counts, because the tumor can double its mass in a month. The lesion is painlessly examined using ultrasound. On the basis of this examination, the doctor decides on the treatment method. Most often it is necessary to remove the entire testicle along with the lump.
Benign testicular lesions
Not every tumor is malignant. Benign changes, e.g. cysts, hemangiomas, may form on the testes. However, all these changes require medical consultation. A visit to the urologist is also necessary if we have had any testicular trauma, for example while playing football or cycling. Such injuries may cause hematomas or testicular ruptures. Then surgical intervention is necessary. If left untreated after an injury, it can lead to infection, leading to an abscess in the testicle, which usually results in its removal. It can also cause infertility or sexual dysfunction (impotence).
Testicular self-examination
Doctors recommend that young men do a monthly self-examination (self-assessment), similar to the self-examination that women should carry out in order to detect breast cancer early. The best way to examine your testicles is to stand naked in front of a mirror. Use the fingers of one hand to stabilize the testicles in the scrotum, and use the other hand to circle the shape of each testicle. We must visit a urologist if we notice any lumps or lumps or an enlargement of any of the testicles. Such a test should be done every 3 or 4 weeks. Men from groups of increased risk of developing testicular cancer, i.e. those suffering from infertility, and those who have been found to have no testicles in the scrotum (so-called cryptorchidism) or men with underdevelopment of the genital organs, should be particularly careful.
Text: Halina Pilonis