In April, marking testicular cancer awareness month, the specialist reminds that the most important thing is to carefully monitor your health and not be afraid to consult a doctor.
“Testicular cancer is a silent disease that usually does not have easily noticeable symptoms that reveal its early stage. Self-examination and observation from adolescence is very important. If unusual changes occur in one of the testicles that do not go away for a while – painless swelling, enlargement or hardening, a palpable nodule – it is recommended to consult a urologist,” says M. Jasėnas.
According to the specialist, 30-40 people get testicular cancer every year in the country.
“Although the disease is rare, it cannot be ignored – if testicular cancer is not treated, metastases may form after 1.5-2 years, dangerously spreading to other organs,” emphasizes the urologist.
According to M. Jasėnas, testicular cancer often affects tall men. A man 190 cm tall is four times more likely to develop this cancer than a man 170 cm tall. A significant risk factor is undescended testicles. Endocrine diseases, genetic factors and lifestyle have influences.
If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, surgical treatment and long-term observation are usually sufficient. The patient can go home the next day and his quality of life is not affected.
“Most people are worried about fertility. It is important to understand that surgery and removal of one testicle has no effect on fertility. If we predict that chemotherapy or radiotherapy will be needed, we always recommend freezing the sperm. This is a guarantee of safety”, explains the doctor. According to him, the treatment tactics are determined by the stage of the disease and the malignancy of the tumor.
Jasėnas notices that there are cases when young men are afraid of possible aesthetic consequences after treatment and do not go to the doctor.
“Today’s medicine has all the possibilities to ensure that a person does not feel discomfort. One of the solutions is the implantation of testicular prostheses. An artificial testicle is inserted into the testicular cavity. This can be done for aesthetic reasons or to restore the functionality of the male genital organs. This procedure can be performed together with other operations,” says the doctor.
Klaipėda University Hospital has all the possibilities to diagnose and comprehensively treat patients with testicular cancer.
