Introduction to testicular cancer

Most ordinary male friends are not very clear about the specific situation of testicular cancer. We can only understand it literally as a malignant lesion in the testicles. In fact, testicular cancer is a relatively complex malignant tumor, and the pathological knowledge about testicular cancer is also very complicated. Today, let's learn more about the pathogenesis of testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer is one of the common tumors in urology. It is almost always malignant, and there are three peaks in the age of onset: yolk sac tumors (infantile embryonal tumors) are the most common in infancy; various types of testicular tumors can be seen between the ages of 20 and 40, but seminomas are still the most common; and seminomas are mainly found after the age of 70. Its cause is still unclear, and it is currently believed that its onset is related to both genetic and acquired factors. Among them, it is most closely related to cryptorchidism. The chance of cryptorchidism developing tumors is 10 to 14 times greater than that of normal people. Cryptorchidism in the abdominal cavity is higher than that in the groin. Testicular fixation does not reduce the incidence of malignant changes, but it can make tumors easier to detect.

The cause of the disease is still unknown, and it is currently believed that the onset of the disease is related to both genetic and acquired factors, among which cryptorchidism is the most closely related. The chance of developing tumors in cryptorchidism is 10 to 14 times greater than that in normal people, and cryptorchidism in the abdominal cavity is more common than in the groin.

Testicular cancer has no obvious symptoms in the early stage. The typical clinical manifestation is a gradually enlarging painless mass, which is discovered accidentally by the patient himself, his family or the doctor during routine examination. Half of the patients often feel that the testicles are heavy, and sometimes feel a pulling sensation in the scrotum, lower abdomen or groin, which is obvious when jumping or running. After standing for too long or being tired, local symptoms will be aggravated with a feeling of falling or mild pain. When there is an accidental collision or squeezing, the pain will be aggravated, which will attract the patient's attention and prompt him to seek medical treatment. Some patients often have symptoms similar to acute orchitis or epididymitis. After anti-inflammatory treatment, although the inflammation has been controlled, there is a mass that does not disappear. At this time, you should be alert to the possibility of testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer is divided into germ cell tumors, non-germ cell tumors and testicular secondary tumors. Germ cell tumors are the most common, accounting for 90 to 95 percent. Germ cell tumors are divided into seminoma, non-seminoma (embryocarcinoma; teratoma; choriocarcinoma, etc.) and mixed germ cell tumors. Non-germ cell tumors are divided into Leydig cell tumors, Sertoli cell tumors, gonadal stromal tumors, and mixed tumors.

Because the pathology of testicular cancer is extremely complex, there is no consensus on the treatment method. However, no matter which type of testicular cancer, orchiectomy should be performed first, and further treatment will be determined based on the results of pathological examination.