Testicular Cancer Research

Question: Testicular Cancer? I have recently found a lump in the middle of my testicles, to be more exact in between the testicles on the skin. There is no pain or irritation whatsoever. Though i have done some research on the internet about testicular cancer i haven't had much prevail in answering my question. I understand that the Yahoo Answers community is considered very helpful. Can you please help me before i schedule an appointment with my doctor?

Answer: Most likely you have a hydrocele or testicular cyst. These are quite common and easily treated if bothersome. See your family Dr and he can rule out cancer and let you know your options if the lump is troublesome. good luck http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Do_I_Have_Testicular_Cancer.asp http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/ask_the_doctor/epididymalcyst.shtml http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hydrocele/DS00617

Question: Testicular cancer (seminoma) is the leading cause of cancer in men from 15 to 35 years of age...? Why do we not screen for this using simple ultrasound techniques? Why aren't there huge campaigns to teach young men to examine their testes for irregularities that may turn out to be cancerous as we do in women? The National Breast Cancer Foundation boasts of having been funded $55 million in research since 1994. How much funding has been raised to research testicular cancer? What have schools done to de-stigmatize testicular seminoma? Now sure, men can get breast cancer but it's at a rate of 1 to 100 compared to women. So 99% of the time, breast cancer is, indeed, a woman's illness. Why don't Feminists help enlighten people about the fact that testicular cancer is so common in men's twenties? Why don't they help people know that just as breast cancer affects families, so does testicular cancer? Why do they claim to be about seeking equality when they don't seek equality in how much money is used in the research of men's diseases versus women's? If Feminists care about men as they claim to, why are these statistics concerning testicular carcinoma so rarely discussed, yet breast cancer is discussed ad nauseum on television? It's a matter of research; only so much can be done without the research funding. How can people be expected to shell out so much money for breast cancer and nothing for men's cancers? Isn't it only right that people are given information about where research is lacking before they contribute? The goal with ultrasound is to catch the lesions before they're big enough to be palpable (usually by then they've metastasized). Ultrasound is much more sensitive for even small lesion, the kind you'd never be able to palpate. And the cost of screening would be exceedingly low. In Italy all school aged children have screening echocardiograms which are far more intensive than simple testicular US. Even at this size it may not be palpable (the cancer is the hypoechoic (dark) area on the right hand side: http://home.flash.net/~drrad/tf/051099b.jpg

Answer: Why is there not all of those things? It is because of the prevailing social frame that says that the life of a man is of intrinsically less value than the life of a woman. A lot of things make sense if you reason it out, starting from that frame. Feminists deny that frame exists, I don't even think they believe that lie themselves.

Question: Symptoms of Testicular Cancer? I'm researching testicular cancer, but cant seem to find the answer to this question. In symptoms of testicular cancer it is only necessary to be concerned if you find a lump on the testical itself, or if there is a lump not attached to the testical itself, but inside the "sack"

Answer: Most of the time there will be a lump attached to the testicle.And not a lump inside the sack. Colors

Question: how can you differentiate between varicocele and testicular cancer? its for a health project... ok so by feel..... my research saids varicocele feels like worms? o_0 but i never found out how you yourself would tell the difference between testicular cancer and varicocele

Answer: Only an ultrasound or biopsy can differentiate a variocele from cancer. But it's true that cancer tumours tend to feel less mobile and firmer than the engorged veins of a variocele. IN a nutshell, a variocele is basically a spermatic vein varicosity (like a hemorrhoid is a varicose rectal vein). Veins tend to feel 'squiggly' and are compressable (they squish down to a degree). Tumours tends to feel more firm, nodular, and are more fixed in the testicle, and they are usually painless, unlike the variocele, but this is not always the case.

Question: can masturbation lead to testicular cancer? hey im researching some causes and forms of testicular cancer and i thought of this questio can you help me?

Answer: A major risk factor for the development of testis cancer is cryptorchidism (undescended testicles). Other risk factors include inguinal hernia, mumps orchitis. Physical activity is associated with decreased risk and sedentary lifestyle is associated with increased risk. Early onset of male characteristics is associated with increased risk. Masturbation does not appear to be a factor.

Question: Do I have Testicular cancer?!? i'm 16 and while i was taking a shower i saw a little lump on the top of my left testical... i started researching on testicular cancer and found out some symptoms. i have 2, 1 is the little lump and the second is tenderness of the breast. does this mean i have tescitular cancer or what!? i might be going to the doctors tomorrow and getting it checked out.

Answer: Every little lump and bump is not cancer and it should never be the first thing that comes to mind. Men with testicular cancer do not wonder if there is something wrong. They know it. The most common symptom is painless enlargement of the testicle and there is nearly always a lump. The lump is on the testicle which you cannot see. This is an uncommon cancer and only accounts for 1% of all cancers that occur in men and usually between the ages of 20-40.

Question: an alternate way to fight cancer? Ok so recently after a friend has been diagnosed with testicular cancer I decided to research cancer and its treatment options. However in all of my research have I not found any treatment that makes the most sense to me. What I think of cancer is that it is a disease and every disease can be treated, however cancer sneaks under your immune systems radar so to speak. Now what I am wondering is if there has been any research on trying to activate the immune system to attack Cancer cells as if they are foreign bodies within the human body? That alternative just seems to make so much more sense than killing off a persons immune system with chemo, cutting them open with surgery, or treating them with radiation. Granted I am not an MD but I would love to hear from one on this question. Thanks again guys.

Answer: Medical science is researching the idea of using the bodies own immune system to fight cancer or lessen its effects. It's called immunotherapy or biological therapy and there are clinical trials available. ( One of the most successful uses of biological therapy is the ability for filgrastim (G–CSF) to increase the bodies white blood cells after chemotherapy. The use of GCSF is pretty standard now for patients.) You can read more about Biological Therapy at the National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/biological Biological Therapy http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=129 Immunotherapy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunotherapy I know people who have tried biological therapy, but so far in the type of sarcoma my son has there have not been many good results.

Question: Why so much focus on breast cancer? What about prostate cancer, or testicular cancer? Are they not as prevalent or deadly? I am genuinely curious as to why I see a lot of media attention on breast cancer research, yet so little on most other kinds...anyone have an idea as to why this is?

Answer: The big push for breast cancer awareness, fund raising and research was a grassroots effort started years ago by family members of those who died of breast cancer and those who survived it. Breast cancer accounts for 29% of all cancers. Testicular cancer is not very common and is highly treatable even in later stages. Although prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, it is not nearly as deadly. At its peak the death rate was 27 in 100,000 and it is not unusual for a man to live with it for 10-20 years. Men are usually diagnosed when they are over 65 years of age. Most breast cancers occur in postmenopausal women, but 25% do not. I have had two this week in women who are 31 and 32 years of age, both found the lump while breastfeeding their baby. It is not likely either will live long enough to see their children past elementary school. Thanks to all the effort made by everyday people to find a cure for breast cancer it is no longer the death sentence it once was. We still do not have a cure, but we have learned so much more and are better able to manage the disease. Research is ongoing for all types of cancer there is just not highly organized groups to keep it in the news or raising money for it.

Question: My father died a few years ago from cancer. The doctors told us he had testicular cancer, but they cancer? never appeared in his testicles (it appeared in his brain and lungs). They said that a piece of his testicles could have wound up in his lungs when he was a fetus and that's what caused it. I was wondering if anyone knew exactly what this was called so I can do some more research about it.

Answer: Wow, this is actually something new to me as a beginning dietitian. I am really curious in knowing do these kind of diseases exist. (My idea/example) It can be his genetic blueprint had gone error during Meiosis. It can be many dead cells developed from malnutrition and somehow they got/spread into other parts of the body (My idea/example). I am sorry for not knowing the answer for this. I have to say thanks for letting us know about this. I am sorry and feel better and good luck with your research!!!

Question: I have had small bump on my testes since I was about 13-14 and im 15 now, coulf this be cancer? I mean my doctor never says anything about it but im assuming she just doesnt feel it because sometimes the side of my teste that it is on is in the back and i cant even find the bump sometimes. I mean the beginning age for testicular cancer i researched was 15 so i dont know if this could be it should i point this out to my doctor it hasnt grown at all in the last 1-2 years and i dont have any other symptoms for ball cancer

Answer: "The balls are inert." But umm.... it, more than likely, isn't ball cancer. Besides, this isn't the type of thing you ask for advice on the Internet. Go get it checked out by a doctor or don't worry about it. And it isn't that hard spot beneath the scrotum near your ass crack that your talking about, is it?

Question: April is cancer awareness month and? At my school there will be an event where one can walk for cancer research. It is primarily testicular cancer awareness month, but we are applying it to most all types of cancer and we made 2 tee shirts for the occasion. One is pink and has a picture of a woman's body in a dark pink 2 piece front and back. She is well endowed in the middle of the shirt it has a picture of a globe and inside the globe there is a picture of a baseball plate. Outside of it there are arms that both touch the plate and the woman's mammories and a feet that touch the base. Arm/leg belong to a white/black guy. And in black lettering underneath the inscription it reads, " Save 2nd base." On the back of the shirt it says, breast cancer awareness and has a pink ribbon. The other tee is white and on the front of it it has 2 dodge balls black and white and has a yellow bang drawing showing that the balls are hitting a cartoon drawing in the face. In the back it reads, " Save your balls: Testicular Cancer awareness month", which one should I wear?

Answer: ilyk the whiite one but ireally like the pink one iwish the tee wqas pink with the second drawinng on it thatwould be funny

Question: Testicular Cancer and some other things? I was Diagnosed with Testicular cancer after 2.5 years in the Marine Corps. I Lost my testicle through a surgery known as the "Radical Orchiectomy." I have had 2 shoulder surgeries 1 for something that was hurt before Marine Corps but fine and then made worse by the Marine Corps. And the Second was to fix the first one. I am on the books to Have another surgery to hopefully take care of this whole Cancer thing. It is the RPLND (Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection) and that will leave me with a giant scar going from my chest to my pubic bone. I was curious because after all of my research it seems that I will not even be receiving a Disability rating for all of this and I was wondering if that was true... I hope to get at least something since they took one of my testicles and cut me open 4 times. If anyone knows of anybody that has anything like this if they got anything or what. Thank you in advance for your answers I am still Enlisted and have about a year left. I have yet to file an initial Claim but I have heard stories from people and I just wanted an idea of what I was heading into in a little bit. Yeah for some reason the doctors and my battalion dont think it would be necessary to sep me... I think... I am not eligible to deploy though.

Answer: File a new claim with VA. Get the American Legion (my choice) or DAV to be your power of attorney. EDIT: "Don't listen to "stories." Just file when the time comes. BTW, how come you are not already DQd from WorldWide service and being out-processed? BTW, a token thumbs up would probably show your appreciation and would make me more likely to comment further. - Yggdrasil, Former USAF SSgt & Captain (retired), 100% Disabled Veteran

Question: Fear of TESTICULAR CANCER!!? About 3 days ago i developed a small ache in my left testicle,it only seems to ache when im relaxed (sat down/in bed). I Cannot find any lumps but i did have an undecsended testicle when i was born, which i have researched and found i am more at risk of getting testicular cancer. I am 16 and havent been to see a doctor yet as im to embarrised!!. Could it be testicular cancer?! =|

Answer: Eh, I was afraid of that too, im 15. I know how embarrasing it can be, but I finally got it over with when I went to get a physical for wrestling. If you get into a sport thats a good excuse to get it checked out. Cancer/ a tumor isnn't a death sentence. Talk to your parents or something, I wish I had even though I was fine. Seeing as its in the left one theres a possibility its a thing that has to do with some veins that branch off at to tight of an angle. Thats what was wrong with me, its genetic and it can be achey/painful when your standing still or laying down. Hope that relieves you. But still, go tell your parents, I know its embarrasing

Question: Is it better for your health just to have your balls cut off? I was researching testicular cancer (don't ask) and found a link to a load of other testicular diseases. It's pretty frightening to be honest.

Answer: sure i cant wait to get mine cut off

Question: How is Elizabeth Edwards' cancer INCURABLE? What about clinical trials? And look @ Lance Armstrong!? Call me an idealistic fool, but ever since Elizabeth Edwards revealed her cancer recurrance was now "incurable", I've been confused. How can ANY cancer be called "incurable" in this day and age, where clinical trials are available everywhere? Also, what does "treatable but incurable" really mean? Will she still evetually die of her disease? I know of folks who were told they were TERMINAL, so since they had nothing to lose, they enrolled in trials that carried some risk, but also a chance at cure. And some WERE cured! Is Elizabeth even considering enrolling in a trial? It seems she too, has nothing to lose, if her cancer truly is considered incurable by "regular" doctors (i.e. those not researching trials). ALSO, what about Lance Armstrong? His testicular cancer metastisized to his liver, lungs and even his brain!! That basically wrote him off as DEAD -- but look at how many years he's been cancer-free! Now you see why Elizabeth's statement doesn't make sense to me. Your thoughts? jano -- thanks for your kind words about my optimism. :) Sometimes folks make fun of me for being optimistic (not just about diseases, but about most things in life). I don't care if anyone makes fun of me, because I prefer to follow the quote from ancient Roman writer Publius Terentius Afer: "While there's life, there's hope!" :) Before I choose a "Best Answer", I first want to say I wish I could give FOUR of you that distinction: jano, Gawaine R, hanora, and Tarkarri -- you each deserve it!! :) But "there can be only one." I also wanted to give my sincere best wishes to those who have battled cancer or lost a loved one to it. Cancer has touched someone in my family too -- fortunately it was caught early, it was not aggressive, and that loved one is now 5+ years free and clear! :) I wish the same success for everyone!

Answer: Few cancers are truely "curable". Some cancers spread faster than others, some grow faster than others, some do both. Treatments attack cancers in 3 ways, surgery to remove cancerous tissue, chemotheratoy and radiation to kill cancerous cells, sometimes to slow growth, sometimes to reduce growth and sometimes to kill stray cells to help prevent recurrance. All of these treatments have side effects. With some cancers, the best we can hope for with treatments available is to slow growth of the cancer, given the side effects, this is then a balancing act between quantity and quality of life. In my case, surgery , chemo and radiation were going to make me feel like cr@p for 6 months, but with good odds that I would have a long, cancer free life afterwards. I decided this was worthwhile. If I knew that the same treatment may have given me a only a few months or years longer, with cancer never fully gone, I probably wouldn't have bothered. Stage 4, metastatic breast cancer falls into the category of holding or reducing, but will always be hovering in the background. However, knowing this, Dr's will be monitoring regularly and treating whenever it flares up again.

Question: Who do I go see if I found a lump in my genital area? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but do I go see a regular doctor, or a specialized doctor (like a proctologist or something, though I'm not sure what the right term is for someone who specializes in male genitals)? From my research, it sounds like it's unlikely to be testicular cancer because it seems just to be on the general skin, not on the testicles themselves, but I still want to get it checked out to stay on the safe side.

Answer: Whatever medical problem you've got, you always go to your regular doctor first. He will either treat your problem himself, or refer you on to a specialist. All male genital problems are initially referred to a urologist. If it is outside his sphere of expertise he will pass you on to an endocrinologist, a dermatologist or an oncologist, depending on his diagnosis. You can't normally get an appointment with these specialists without being referred.