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919Vol. 10    |    No. 2    |    Spring 2013    |U R O LO G Y   J O U R N A L

TESTIS  CANCER

The testes are 2 egg-shaped organs located inside the scrotal sac. The testicular cancer had 3 distinct fea-tures: it predominantly involves young adults, has 
rapidly progressive nature, and responds very well to chemo-
therapy. The diagnosis of testis cancer in early stage has out-
most importance. However, most patients do not visit a phy-
sician due to embarrassment. The common early symptom 
of testicular cancer is a painless mass inside the testis. Every 
solid mass in the testis is tumor unless otherwise noted. Al-
though testicular cancer accounts for only 1% of cancers in 
men, it is the most common cancer in men in their 20s and 
30s. Fortunately, it has become one of the most amenable of 
all cancers for cure. About 95% of all men diagnosed with 
testis cancer survive their disease. The testicular cancers have 
two main types: cancers which originate from testis germ 
cells (eg, seminoma) and cancers which originate from testis 
non-germ cells (eg, embryonal cell carcinoma and choriocar-
cinoma). Non-germ cell testicular tumors are more malignant 
than germ cell testicular tumors. The original treatment for 

testicular cancer is removal of related testis by surgery. The 
surgical specimen is being sent for pathologic examination. 
Then, according to pathologic diagnosis and the extend of 
involvement of the body with tumor (tumor stage), neces-
sary treatment is done. The main stem treatment for germ cell 
testicular tumor is radiotherapy, and the main stem treatment 
for non-germ cell testicular tumor is surgery for removal of 
involved lymph nodes and chemotherapy. Testicular cancers 
have excellent tumor markers. Tumor markers are substances 
produced by cancer cells and can be measured in the blood. 
The tumor markers for testicular cancer are: alpha fetoprotein 
(AFP), beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG), and 
lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Not all treatment modalities 

-
mine the most appropriate treatment option based upon pa-
tient’s condition. Some men with testicular cancer need only 
surveillance (watchful waiting).
 

See page 873 for full-text article.

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