Summarize the symptoms of testicular cancer

Although the early symptoms of most cancers are not obvious and are easily ignored, missing the best time for treatment, as long as we are careful, observe carefully, and check our bodies regularly, we will definitely find clues. Early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment are the best way. So, let's summarize the symptoms of testicular cancer.

The most common symptom is a gradual, painless enlargement of the testicles with a feeling of heaviness. The enlarged testicles of seminoma often maintain the outline of the testicles and have a consistent texture, while teratomas are nodular and inconsistent in hardness and softness. About 10% of patients feel pain due to intratesticular bleeding or infarction, and 10% of patients may have metastatic symptoms, such as large retroperitoneal lymph node metastases that compress the nerve roots and cause back pain. Pulmonary metastases may cause coughing and dyspnea, duodenal metastases may cause anorexia, nausea and vomiting, and bone metastases may cause bone pain. Testicular Leydig cell tumors should be considered when children have testicular masses and symptoms of precocious puberty, or when adults have gynecomastia and decreased libido.

1. Testicular enlargement. In 88% of patients, the testicles are enlarged to varying degrees. Sometimes the testicles are completely replaced by tumors, with a hard texture and the normal elasticity disappearing. The surface is smooth in the early stage, but may be nodular in the late stage. It may adhere to the scrotum or even rupture. The scrotal skin may be dark red, and there are often tortuosity on the surface. When doing a light transmission test, it is not transparent. If the tumor is cryptorchid, the lumps are often palpated in the abdomen, groin, etc., and the scrotum on the same side is empty. Some patients with testicular tumors are also accompanied by hydrocele. Some are still normal or slightly larger, so they are rarely discovered by themselves. They are often discovered during physical examinations or treatment of other diseases. Some patients seek medical treatment because of a feeling of falling caused by testicular enlargement.

2. Pain Nearly 90% of patients have lost testicular sensation and are painless. Therefore, it is generally believed that the tumor is a painless scrotal mass. It is worth noting that acutely painful testicular tumors can also be seen in clinical practice, but they are often considered to be inflammatory signs. The cause of pain is bleeding or central necrosis in the tumor, or pain caused by testicular tumors invading tissues outside the testicle.

3. Metastatic symptoms Testicular tumors mainly metastasize to lymph nodes, which are commonly found in the internal iliac, common iliac, para-aortic and mediastinal lymph nodes. The metastatic lesions can be very large and can be felt in the abdomen. Patients complain of waist and back pain. Patients with testicular choriocarcinoma may experience breast hypertrophy and pigmentation of the nipple and areola.