The Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, along with other organizations nationwide, recognize April as Testicular Cancer Awareness Month. This form of cancer occurs when cells grow out of control in the testicles, part of the male reproductive system, and takes the shape of multiple forms.

According to the American Cancer Society:

This year, about 9,720 new testicular cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States.

About one of every 250 males will develop testicular cancer at some point in their lives.

The cancer can affect young males, with the average age at the time of diagnosis 33. About 6% of cases occur in children and teens, and about 8% occur in men older than 55.

Because testicular cancer can usually be treated successfully, a man’s lifetime risk of dying from the cancer is about one in 5,000.
 
While some testicular cancer cases have no signs or symptoms, signs of the disease can often be caught during a routine exam.

“With the absence of symptoms in the early stages of testicular cancer, I continue to stress the importance of males getting their annual wellness checks with their primary care providers and not hesitating to see their providers if something is not normal,” said Nitin Vaishampayan, M.D., WSU associate professor of Oncology (Radiation Oncology) and radiation oncologist and leader of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos.

Symptoms may include swelling of the testicle, a lump, a feeling of heaviness or pain in the scrotum and aches in the lower abdomen. In rare cases, breast growth or soreness may occur. Certain testicular tumors may cause early puberty in boys.

Many men who develop testicular cancer do not have any risk factors. However, the following may cause higher risk of the disease:

An HIV infection.

An undescended testicle.

Being of a certain race or ethnicity – White men are four to five times more likely to develop testicular cancer. Americans and Europeans have the highest risk.

Family history of testicular cancer or having had testicular cancer before.

At Karmanos, testicular cancer is treated by the Genitourinary Oncology MDT, which includes surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers and genetic counselors. The team focuses on treating genitourinary cancers and shares its collective expertise to create a customized treatment plan for each patient. The team uses the latest technologies, including the da Vinci® Xi™ Surgical System and cryotherapy, to achieve optimum patient success.

This article originally appeared here.