Testicular cancer what type of doctor

These are soft, tube-like structures above and behind the testicle. These tubes collect and carry sperm. Just become familiar with how these cords feel.

Lumps or bumps are not normal even if they cause no pain. Pain is not normal. Check yourself at least once per month. Always look for any changes in size, shape, or texture.

Medical Exam Health record and physical exam: Your urologist will talk with you about your health. They will examine your scrotum, belly abdomen , lymph nodes, and other parts to look for signs of cancer. They will look for lumps, firmness or signs of swelling.

Tell them if you have a history of undescended testes. Testicular ultrasound: This imaging test is used to see inside the scrotum and to check a suspicious lump. Other scans or x-rays may be done if your doctor would like to see inside your chest or abdomen. This is done to see if cancer has spread to lymph nodes, the lungs or liver. MRIs are rarely used, but needed in some cases to check the brain and spinal cord.

Blood test: A blood test is taken to check tumor markers. These are proteins and hormones made by some testicular cancers. In other words, just because tumor markers are normal does not mean that you are free of cancer.

Some medicines and marijuana can create false positive levels of HCG. Over the counter urinary pregnancy tests do check for HCG levels in the urine but are not reliable tests for testicular cancer. This is not really cancer, but a warning that cancer could grow.

GCNIS may be found in the seminal tubules and nowhere else. It has not spread to nearby lymph nodes. It has not spread to other parts of the body. Cancer may be found far from the testicles, like in distant lymph nodes or the lungs. Tumor marker levels are high. Treatment options include: Surveillance. Surveillance is recommended for Stage 0 and some Stage 1 cancers.

Patients with stage I seminoma. It should involve a physical exam, tumor marker test and imaging: Every months for the first 2 years; every months in years Patients with stage 1 non-seminoma germ cell tumors NSGCT , after surgery.

It should include a physical exam and tumor marker test: Every months in year 1; every months in year 2; every months in year 3; every months in years Patients with stage I NSGCT, after surgery.

It should involve a chest x-ray and other imaging: Every months in year 1; every months in year 2; one time in years If the cancer shows signs of growth, or if hormone levels change, then more treatment may be offered.

Surgery Surgery is the main treatment for testicular cancer. Orchiectomy is used to diagnose and treat both early-stage and later-stage testicular cancer. This surgery removes the entire testicle and mass through a small cut in the groin.

The spermatic cord is also removed. The cell type will be confirmed and staged with this surgery. If one testicle is removed and the other is normal, testosterone levels should be fine. The remaining, healthy testicle should make enough testosterone. If a man is concerned about the way he looks, a testicular prosthesis is an option. Testis-sparing surgery TSS is only recommended in select cases. This surgery removes just the tumor tissue, not the entire testis.

For this, the mass must be very small and tumor markers must be negative. This is best for men with benign tumors, rather than cancer. When TSS is done, regular surveillance is important because the cancer can return. Other side effects, like infertility, are possible. If the tumor is malignant, and the man has a normal testicle on the other side, then TSS is not recommended.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection RPLND is a complex surgery used to limit the side effects of removing the lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen. A skilled surgeon is used and it can be helpful for some men.

This surgery is an option for patients with stage I cancer and a high risk for recurrence. It is typically for men with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.

After RPLND surgery, chemotherapy or surveillance is offered depending on the cancer location, type and risk of recurrence.

It is important to work with a highly experienced surgeon. Radiation Radiation is used to kill cancer cells on the testis or in nearby lymph nodes. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is used for cancers that spread beyond the testicles, or if tumor markers rise after surgery.

Further Treatment Beyond basic surgery, care depends on the type of cancer cell and results. If, after time, cancer returns, then more treatment will be needed. Treatment for Children. The cancer cell-types found are: Yolk Sac Tumors. When these tumors grow in adults, they are more unsafe. These germ cells grow in hard to predict ways and do not respond to chemotherapy. They can be treated with surgery. Gonadal Stromal Tumors. These are more likely to spread and require a chest x-ray if found.

Gonadoblastoma and Dysgerminoma are rare. They happen in children with testicles that did not grow normally before birth. Gonadoblastomas are benign. The most common treatments for children are: Inguinal Exploration. For this surgery, a cut on the skin crease just above the pubic bone is made and the testicle is guided out of the scrotum.

The surgeon then looks at the gland to decide next steps. This is recommended for any child with a testicular tumor. It is most often an outpatient service. This is an choice when the surgeon thinks the tumor is benign. A surgeon decides on TSS based on how the tumor looks and on normal tumor markers. In this case, just the tumor tissue is removed. It is sent for tests biopsy by a pathologist. Total Orchiectomy.

Surgery to remove the testis is needed if biopsy results show cancer. Also, it is done with high tumor markers, a large tumor, and if a tumor is found after puberty. Further treatment is offered if the cancer is more aggressive. These options include the RLND, radiation, or chemotherapy. After Treatment. Please understand that removal of the testicle will not make you sterile unable to have children and does not take away your ability to enjoy sexual activity or have an erection. The removed testicle will be sent to our pathology laboratory for a thorough examination under a microscope.

A pathologist is a specially trained doctor who identifies cancerous cells and tumors. They will diagnose and classify your cancer quickly and competently. Most testicular cancers are classified as germ cell tumors. This is not an infection.

Instead, the term germ cell reflects the fact that testicles make sperm. Germ cell tumors are divided into two types: seminoma and nonseminoma. In order to decide what treatment is best for you, it is important to know whether or not your testicular cancer has spread beyond the testicle.

Another kind of scan can be used to look for cancer in other parts of the body:. Testicular cancer is divided — or staged — into groups based on how far the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Here are the basic stages for testicular cancer:. New Patient Appointments Read disclaimer about translations Please note that some translations using Google Translate may not be accurately represented and downloaded documents cannot be translated. Dana-Farber assumes no liability for inaccuracies that may result from using this third-party tool, which is for website translation and not clinical interactions.

You may request a live medical interpreter for a discussion about your care. Testicular Cancer. Share Print Email. How We Diagnose Testicular Cancer Testing for testicular cancer What to expect during your appointment: exam, blood test, and ultrasound First, the doctor will examine your testicles for lumps or swelling. A blood test will be performed to test for certain proteins in your blood. These proteins are called tumor markers and can be used to diagnose testicular cancer.

In addition to some general signs and symptoms of testicular cancer , there are a few signs of advanced cancer. If you experience lower back pain or belly pain consistently, the cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes. While these symptoms rarely present themselves without first showing some of the earlier signs, advanced testicular cancer is harder to treat and more serious.

While all of these symptoms could indicate testicular cancer, having them is not a definitive diagnosis of testicular cancer. Talk to your doctor to receive the proper diagnosis. There are two different main types of germ cell tumors GCTs called seminomas or non-seminomas. Unfortunately, there is no direct way to prevent testicular cancer. Talk to your doctor today and make sure that you undergoing regular self-examinations and urologist visits.

The first sign of testicular cancer tends to be a lump on the testicle or general swelling and changes in size. If you find anything during self-examination, medical examinations will help confirm the underlying problem.

Detecting testicular cancer early helps increase the chances of making a full recovery. Check each testicle thoroughly by gently, but firmly, rolling it between your thumb and forefingers. If you catch a tumor early, it will be the size of a small marble or pea, but as the cancer progresses the tumor can grow much larger.

Lumps can form due to cysts, enlarged blood vessels, a buildup of fluid, or hernias.