Have you recently noticed a slight change in your testicle, or an unusual lump or swelling? You may have also felt a slight heaviness or discomfort. It's not a good idea to ignore these things, is it? Because these can be symptoms of a disease that we sometimes don't talk about much, but it's very important to be aware of. We're going to talk about such a condition today.
What is Embryonal Carcinoma?
Simply put, Embryonal Carcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in the testicles, which is a bit more aggressive and spreads quickly. It is called a germ cell tumor. Now you may be wondering what these germ cells are. Germ cells are, normally, the early cells that are supposed to become fully mature sperm cells. However, in this case of Embryonal Carcinoma, these germ cells start to divide and multiply very quickly without control. In this case, a malignant tumor forms inside your testicle.
Doctors classify these embryonal carcinomas as non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. Now you may be wondering what non-seminomas are. Simply put, there is another type of germ cell cancer called seminomas. However, these non-seminomas (embryonal carcinomas are an example of this) grow faster and spread more quickly to other parts of the body.
How common is this condition?
How common is Embryonal Carcinoma? In fact, when you consider all the cancers that occur in the testicles, these are a little less common. That is, this is not a disease that affects everyone. Of the cases of testicular cancer diagnosed, germ cell tumors, pure embryonal carcinomas, which are only Embryonal Carcinoma, are seen in a very small number, about two percent (%2).
However, it is important to know this. About 85 percent (85%) of mixed germ cell tumors that occur in the testicles may contain embryonal carcinoma. Mixed germ cell tumors are tumors that develop from a combination of several types of non-seminoma tumors.
Very rarely, this condition, called Embryonal Carcinoma, can also start in other organs in women, such as the ovaries. Embryonal carcinoma, which develops in the ovaries, is a very rare type of ovarian germ cell tumor. No matter where it starts, this type of cancer is likely to grow and spread quickly.
What are the symptoms of Embryonal Carcinoma?
Okay, now let's see what symptoms are present in this condition of Embryonal Carcinoma. If you have any of these, it is best to seek medical advice immediately.
- Feeling like one of your testicles is swollen.
- A lump or lump that feels hard to the touch in the testicle, with or without pain.
- Feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the scrotum.
In addition to these symptoms, if the cancer has spread beyond the testicle, that is, to other parts of the body, other symptoms may appear. They are:
- Low back pain.
- Flank pain.
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea).
- Coughing, sometimes coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
If you see something like this, shouldn't you see a doctor without delay?
Why does Embryonal Carcinoma develop?
Embryonal carcinoma develops when the previously mentioned germ cells begin to divide and multiply rapidly and uncontrollably. Over time, these cells join together to form a tumor. These cancers often grow rapidly and spread beyond the testicle.
However, doctors still don't know exactly why these germ cells start behaving this abnormally in the first place. However, they believe that these abnormal germ cells form while we are still in the womb, that is, during embryonic development.
Who is at higher risk for this condition? (Risk Factors)
Okay, so what are the risk factors for developing this condition called Embryonal Carcinoma? Let's take a look.
- Age: This disease is most often diagnosed in young people between the ages of 25 and 35 .
- Race: Testicular germ cell tumors are most common among non-Hispanic white men living in the United States and Europe.
- Family history: If someone in your immediate family, such as a father or brother, has had this type of germ cell cancer, you may also be at slightly increased risk.
- Certain medical conditions: For example, people with conditions such as undescended testicles (cryptorchidism) and Klinefelter syndrome may be at increased risk.
How is Embryonal Carcinoma diagnosed?
When you go to see a doctor, he or she will first ask you about your symptoms and whether anyone in your family has had this disease. Then, they will examine you to see if there are any lumps or swellings in your testicles. They will also check for any swollen lymph nodes in your abdomen. This is because swollen lymph nodes can be a sign that the cancer has spread.
In addition, the following tests are performed to accurately diagnose this disease:
- Imaging tests: An ultrasound of both testicles is often the first test. If this shows signs of cancer, a CT scan (computed tomography scan), X-ray, or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan may be done to see how far the cancer has spread in the body.
- Serum tumor marker tests: This involves taking a sample of your blood and looking for certain tumor markers that are associated with testicular cancer. Examples include alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). These can sometimes be seen in the blood with embryonal carcinoma, but not always.
- Inguinal orchiectomy and biopsy: This involves surgically removing the entire cancerous testicle and examining its cells under a microscope. This is when it is possible to confirm whether it is embryonal carcinoma. Usually, a biopsy only takes a small piece of tissue. However, in the case of testicular cancer, if such a small piece is taken, the entire testicle is removed because the cancer cells are more likely to spread.
Stages of Embryonal Carcinoma
When you are diagnosed, your doctor will also determine the stage of your cancer. This is how far the cancer has spread and how serious it is. The stage of your cancer is the best predictor of whether or not you will be cured. Embryonal carcinoma in its early stages can often be cured completely. However, because it spreads so quickly, about 40 percent (40%) of the cancer has already spread (metastasized) to distant parts of the body by the time doctors diagnose it.
The main stages of Embryonal Carcinoma are:
- Stage I: The cancer is only in your testicle.
- Stage II: The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes behind your abdomen (retroperitoneum).
- Stage III: The cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum or to distant organs. Embryonal carcinoma most often spreads to the lungs. However, it can also spread to the liver, brain, or bones.
What are the treatments for this?
The main treatments for embryonal carcinoma are surgery to remove the cancer and chemotherapy. The treatment you receive will depend on many factors, such as the stage of your cancer, your general health, and what kind of treatment you prefer.
There are several main treatment methods:
- Radical inguinal orchiectomy: In this procedure, your doctor completely removes your cancerous testicle. The surrounding blood vessels and lymph tissue are sealed to stop the cancer from spreading.
- Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND): If embryonal carcinoma has spread to the lymph nodes in the back of your abdomen, or if there is a risk of spreading, your doctor may also surgically remove those lymph nodes.
- Chemotherapy: Embryonal carcinoma usually responds well to chemotherapy. This involves giving your body drugs that can kill cancer cells. After surgery, you may be given chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. Sometimes, in advanced-stage cases where the cancer has spread far and wide, doctors decide to give you chemotherapy before surgery.
How will life be with this situation? (Outlook)
The stage of the cancer has the biggest impact on how well you will be able to recover (prognosis / outlook). A recent study showed that more than 98% (98%) of people treated for Stage I cancer were still alive after five years. About 80% (80%) of people with Stage III Embryonal Carcinoma were still alive after five years.
Remember, even if you respond well to treatment, doctors will continue to monitor you because the cancer may come back.
In the case of embryonal carcinoma, if the cancer is confined to the testicle, there is a 20% (20%) chance of recurrence. However, if the cancer has spread to the scrotum or lymph nodes, the chance of recurrence can be over 50% (50%).
Can Embryonal Carcinoma be prevented?
Honestly, there is no way to prevent embryonal carcinoma from developing. However, the best thing you can do is to see a doctor as soon as you notice any changes in your testicles. Not every change is cancer, but it is important to know for sure.
How do I take care of myself?
If you have any questions or concerns about this treatment, talk to your doctor about them. For example, many people are afraid of having a testicle removed, thinking it will affect their sex life and ability to have children. But in reality, the remaining testicle produces enough testosterone, which is essential for your body. So you won't have any problems having sex or ejaculating. You will probably be able to have children.
If you are concerned about your appearance, you can also get a prosthetic testicle. Also, if you want to preserve your fertility, you can talk to your doctor about sperm banking .
What questions should I ask my doctor?
When you see your doctor, don't forget to ask questions like these:
- What stage is my cancer in?
- What treatment options do I have?
- What results can I expect after treatment?
- What are the chances that this cancer will be completely cured with treatment?
- Do I need to bank my sperm before starting treatment?
Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)
Embryonal carcinoma is a more aggressive and fast-growing type of testicular cancer, but it often responds well to treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. It is especially curable if detected early. Your doctor will advise you on the most appropriate treatment for you, depending on the stage of your cancer.
Therefore, if you notice anything unusual or different in your testicles, do not delay and see a doctor immediately to get it checked out. That is the biggest help you can do for yourself. Don't worry, there are solutions to everything.
` embryonal carcinoma, testicular cancer, germ cell tumor, testicular cancer, cancer symptoms, cancer treatment, men's health
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න