Stage 0:
This stage of testicular cancer is also called carcinoma of situ. In this stage, the abnormal cells i.e. the cells which can later become cancerous are found in tubules, where sperm is produced. The levels of tumor markers stay normal in stage 0 of testicular cancer.  

Stage I:
Stage I of testicular cancer is marked by development of cancer from the abnormal cells. This stage can again be classified into 3 sub stages, IA, IB and IC. In stage IA of testicular cancer, the testicles and epididymis of the patient gets affected; and the cancer might also invade the membrane surrounding the testicles. The levels of tumor markers still stay normal. Stage IB testicular cancer affects the patient testicles, epididymis and might also invade other tissues like spermatic cord, lymph vessels, blood and scrotum. Levels of tumor markers remain normal even in stage IB. Patients in stage IC of testicular cancer have cancer in exactly the same parts of the body as stage IB testicular cancer; the only difference is that in this stage the levels of tumor markers in the patient’s body gets affected.

Stage II:
This is one of the final stages of testicular cancer; the symptoms of the disease become extremely serious in patient in this stage of testicular cancer. Stage II testicular cancer can be further classified into the sub stages: stage IIA, stage IIB and stage IIC. In stage IIA, the cancer occurs in parts like spermatic cord, scrotum and testicles and can spread up to a maximum of 5 lymph nodes of the abdomen. In stage IIB, the number of lymph nodes affected by the cancer will be more than 5; however, none of the affected lymph nodes will be bigger than 5cm. In stage IIC of testicular cancer, the cancer invades lymph nodes of abdomen that are bigger than 5cm.

Stage III:
This is the last stage of testicular cancer. Stage III has three sub stages: stage IIIA, stage IIIB and stage IIIC. Stage IIIA of testicular cancer may involve spreading of the cancer into the lymph nodes of the abdomen and distant tissues like lung tissues. The stage IIIB is marked by spreading of the cancer to both distant tissues and lymph nodes. In stage IIIC of testicular cancer, the cancer might invade any body part.

Although a cause for this form of cancer is unknown, there are a variety of different factors that a large number of specialists and surgeons believe to be culprits that can cause this type of cancer to develop. Below are a few of the risk factors that are believed to cause a person’s chances for acquiring this disease to be much higher than when these factors are not present.

• A development of the testicles that is considered to be abnormal.

• Men that are between 15 and 39 years of age.

• A family history of this disease may result in an individual suffering from warning signs of testicular cancer.

• Klinefelter’s syndrome, which is known as a genetic condition.

• Although this disease can affect men of any race, it is a condition that occurs more frequently in white men.

• Individuals that have cryptorchidism, which is the term used for a testicle that has not descended. Even in men that have undergone surgery to improve this problem, they still have a higher chance in acquiring this form of cancer.

Problems with Many Men That DO Notice the Warning Signs of Testicular Cancer

Although there is a 95% success rate of being able to cure this testicular cancer type of disease when a physician is able to adequately diagnose the condition while it is still in its early stages, there is only about 50% of individuals that suffer from this condition that do not seek a diagnosis and treatment until it has went beyond the testicles and spread to various other parts of the body. This is very unfortunate since this disease is generally easily cured, and if self-exams are performed on a regular basis, in many cases an adequate diagnosis and effective treatment plan can be put into place to cure the disease.

The Most Common Warning Signs of Testicular Cancer

Although when an individual notices some of the warning signs of this disease, there are many times that it can end up being some other type of health problem. To ensure that you do not end up facing advanced stages of this disease, it is important to pay close attention to the warning signs that would include the following:

• Swelling or the build-up of fluid within the scrotum

• Testicles that become swollen, tender, or painful

• Changes in how the testicles of the scrotum feel, such as a testicle that becomes enlarged

• Pain that can be felt in the groin area, the lower back, or the abdomen

• Nodules or lumps that may be found within the testicles that may or may not feel tender or painful

There are as many as 8,000 people in the United States every single year that will end up acquiring this devastating disease. However, when it is diagnosed in its early stages, the successful rate of curing the disease is as high as 95%. In some cases the individual does not experience any type of symptoms at all, in some cases the individual may experience only one testicular cancer symptom, and in other cases the individual may experience several of the symptoms that are commonly associated with this form of cancer.

Symptoms You May Experience Will Greatly Depend on if the Disease Has Spread

If the cancer is caught early and it remains in the testicles, some of the most common symptoms that some individuals may experience would include the following:

• Pain or sensitivity that may be felt in the scrotum or the testicles.

• An overall feeling of being tired all the time or the feeling of being unwell.
• Hydrocele, which is the medical term for the build-up of fluid that may occur in the individual’s scrotum.

• A dull achiness that can be felt in either the lower portion of the abdomen, or in the groin area.

• The feeling of heaviness or a pulling sensation that may be felt in the individual’s scrotum.

If the testicular cancer has spread to other parts of the patient’s body, then there are other types of symptoms that a person may begin to experience. Some of the most common symptoms that numerous patients have experienced are as follows:

• If the cancer has spread and grown into the lymph nodes or glands of the patient’s body, there are times that they may feel pain or discomfort in the stomach area or the lower portion of the abdomen.

• If the cancer has spread and grown into the lungs of the patient, he may feel a testicular cancer symptom such as pain in the chest area.

• If the cancer has advanced to later stages of the disease, the patient may experience a shortness of breath, tenderness in the breasts, and pain in the lower back area. There are also some patients that may notice the appearance of blood as they are coughing.

The way this disease spreads to various other parts of a patient’s body is through the lymph node system or through the individual’s bloodstream. This occurs when the cancer cells begin dividing at an uncontrollable rate.

Other Signs of Testicular Cancer That May Occur

Human chorionic gonadotropin, which is more commonly known as HCG is substance that is often secreted when an individual suffers from various types of cancer of the testes like germ cell tumors. When this type of substance is released within the body, the development of larger breasts will often occur. Tenderness that can be felt in the breasts or the growth of larger breasts is one of the common symptoms that many patients experience. These are also symptoms of Sertoli cell tumors and Leydig cell tumors, along with a lower level of sexual desire or decreased libido. If individuals of an early age have acquired this form of cancer they may also experience an early growth of body or facial hair.

Signs of Testicular Cancer when it has spread to Other Areas of the Body

Generally when this specific form of cancer spreads to other areas, it is generally found in the lymph nodes of the individual’s abdomen. In patients of these cases, there are only about 25% that will notice any symptoms. However, there are some cases where the individual will notice various signs that the disease has spread. A few of the most common symptoms are as follows:

• If the disease has spread to the abdomen area, the patient may experience pain and discomfort of the lower back.

• If the disease has spread into the patient’s lungs, they may experience symptoms that would include a shortness of breath, pain in the chest, and excessive coughing. In some cases the individual may also notice blood found in the sputum (hemoptysis).

It is important to remember that not all signs of testicular cancer that individuals may experience are always an indication that this type of disease has been acquired. There are other types of health conditions that may also cause some of these symptoms as well. In many cases these symptoms can occur when a person’s testicles have been injured in some type of sporting activity, or even if the individual is suffering from some type of infection of the testicles.

Knowing what to look for in Checking Testicular Cancer is Very Important

It is important to be familiar with your body so that you will notice any changes as soon as they occur. Below are some of the most common warning signs that are associated with this form of cancer.

• The sensation of heaviness that can be felt in the scrotum or groin area

• A lump that can be felt in just one or both of the testicles

• Fluid that builds up within the scrotum

• Pain or discomfort that can be felt in one or both of the testicles

• The breasts becoming larger than normal, that may also be accompanied with some tenderness

• Pus or a discharge that is being discharged from the individual’s penis

• Noticing an increase of size in one of the testicles

• Noticing blood that can be seen in the sperm after ejaculation occurs

Performing Self-Exams for Checking Testicular Cancer Warning Signs

A self-exam that is performed on a regular basis (at least one time each month) is a habit that is extremely important for catching the early warning signs of this type of cancer. Below is a few helpful tips containing information that can assist you on how this type of test should be performed.

• It is best to perform this type of test after you have taken a bath or shower, as your muscles will be much more relaxed at this time, which will make it much easier to more adequately be able to feel the testicles.

• View the scrotum area to look for any signs of swelling or lumps that may be present.

• You will want to examine one testicle at a time, and then make a comparison between the two. This can be done by allowing the testicles to roll carefully between the forefinger and thumb.

• Checking testicular cancer signs involves looking for any excess swelling or lumps in the areas that are normally supposed to be smooth.

If you notice any unfamiliar warning signs while performing a self-exam, it is important to consult with your family health care professional.

Testicular cancer is largely categorized into two forms: seminoma and non-seminoma. Seminomas constitute nearly 40% of all recorded testicular cancers. Non-seminomas are a set of cancers that comprise of choriocarcinoma, embryonal carcinoma, teratoma and yolk sac tumors. Testicular cancer might constitute a grouping of both the forms.Many men are able to identify their own testicular cancers. During the course of a regular physical examination, the doctor would usually examine the testicles for any dubious signs. In-between routine examinations, if one observes anything doubtful and abnormal about the testicles, then one needs to promptly seek medical advice.

Testicular Cancer Symptoms:

• Presence of lump or swelling noted in either of the testicles that is painless.
• Testicles might become enlarged or a difference could be sensed in the way it feels.
• A heavy feeling in the scrotum.
• A dulling pain felt in the lower part of the abdomen or the groin region.
• An abrupt fluid accumulation in the scrotum.
• Painful or discomforting sensation in the scrotum.

Diagnosis & Tests:

A general evaluation of the man’s overall health condition is conducted to decipher the reason behind the occurrence of the symptoms. The doctor would additionally carry out a physical examination and might instruct to go in for laboratory and analytical tests. If a tumor is doubted, then the doctor would possibly suggest an ultrasound. On detection of a tumor the next course of treatment is its removal.

• Blood Analysis – A blood test is conducted for measurement of the levels of tumor markers which are substances observed in greater than normal levels in the presence of cancer. In testicular cancer the tumor markers comprise of beta human chrionic gonadotropin hormone or B-HCG; alpha-fetoprotein – a form of blood protein noted in adults that have certain forms of cancer and LDH or lactate dehydrogenase that is a protein that is noted to be in elevated levels due to cancer.
• Ultrasound – An analytical testing procedure wherein high-frequency sound waves are rebounded off internal organs and tissues. The echoes generated in the process are used in producing an image known as a sonogram. An ultrasound done on the scrotum could reveal the occurrence and the extent of the mass present in the testicle. It additionally aids in excluding any other conditions like a swelling that is infection-derived.
• Biopsy – A decision to remove the testicles is taken on the basis of the outcome of the physical exam, blood analysis and ultrasound of the dubious testicular tumor.

In mostly all doubtful testicular cancer cases through the procedure known as inguinal orchiectomy, the complete testicle that has malignant growth is eliminated via an incision made in the groin region. In atypical situations where in the patient has merely a single testicle, the surgeon would conduct an inguinal biopsy during which a tissue sample is taken from the testicle via a slit made in the groin region and would proceed with orchiectomy solely if cancer cells are detected. The surgeon does not incise through the scrotum for removing the tissue because if the offender is cancer then this method could cause metastasis of the disease.