Testicular Self-Exam
Medical Author:
Patrick R Frey, MD
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Testicular Cancer DefinitionTesticular cancer: Cancer of the male sex organ, the testicle, that normally produces the hormone testosterone. One of the most common cancers in young men. Most testicular cancers are found by men in themselves as a lump in the testicle. The risk of cancer of the testicles is increased in males whose testicles did not move down normally into the scrotum (holding sac for the testicles) during development unless the problem is corrected in early childhood. This condition is referred to as undescended testicles. After cancer in the testicle is detected, surgical removal of the affected testicle (orchiectomy) is done and the cancer is confirmed by examination of the tissue under a microscope. Testicular cancer is almost always curable if it is found early. SOURCE: Top Searched Testicular Self-Exam Terms:
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Testicular Self-Exam IntroductionA testicular self-examination (TSE) is useful in the detection of cancer of the testicles. Testicular cancer is the most common solid tumor found in males age 20-34 years. If detected early and treated, testicular cancer is almost 100% curable. If untreated, it may spread to the lymph nodes and lungs, and become more dangerous. Tumors usually are found on one side, but 2%-3% are found in both testicles. Testicular Cancer Risk FactorsThe cause of testicular cancer is unknown, but there are several known risk factors:
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Testicular Self-Exam
Testicular Cancer Overview
Testicular cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the testicles. The testicles are the male reproductive organs (gonads) where sperm are produced.
- The two small testicular glands lie in a pouch of skin behind the penis called the scrotal sac, or scrotum.
- They are attached to the ejaculatory duct in the lower pelvis by cords called spermatic cords, which contain the vas deferens, the narrow tube through which the sperm moves out of the testis.
- Besides producing and storing sperm, the testicles (or testes) are the main source of male hormones such as testosterone, which control reproduction and sex drive (libido) and impart male physical traits such as deep voice and body and facial hair.
- Cancer usually occurs in only one testicle. Less than 5% of the time, it occurs in both testicles. (Usually, the two tumors are found at different times, t...
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