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Testicular Cancer
Do you have a family member who has suffered from tetsticular cancer?
Have you felt a change, painless lump or swelling in either testicle?
Can you feel an ache in your lower abdomen or groin?
In 2015, 856 new cases of testicular cancer were diagnosed in Australia. For Australian men, the risk of being diagnosed with testicular cancer by age 85 is 1 in 189. The rate of men diagnosed with testicular cancer has grown by more than 50% over the past 30 years, however the reason for this is not known. The five year survival rate for testicular cancer is 98% (Cancer Council Australia www.cancer.org.au).
Gold Coast Urologist Dr Elmes and his preferred team of oncologists treat testicular cancer early and aggressively.
Testicular cancer may cause no symptoms. The most common symptom is a painless swelling or a lump in a testicle which should always be assessed by a specialist.
Tests used to diagnose testicular cancer include:
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ultrasound (to confirm the presence of a mass) and
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blood tests for tumour markers.
However, the only way to definitively diagnose testicular cancer is by surgical removal of the affected testicle.
Whilst many other types of cancers are diagnosed by biopsy (removing a small piece of tissue from the tumour), cutting into a testicle could spread the cancer to other parts of the body. Hence the whole testicle needs to be removed if cancer is strongly suspected (Cancer Council Australia www.cancer.org.au).
Contact Gold Coast Urologist (07) 5575 7922 for an urgent appointment
