Testicular cancer in teenagers and young adults.
Testicular cancer is the most common extracranial tumor in teenagers and young adults.
It is a type of germinal tumor with a very good prognosis, highly curable in 95% of the cases, but with a great emotional impact on patients.
April is the international awareness month for testicular cancer and from Asociación Anita, as standard bearers of childhood germ cell tumor and supported by oncologists from the Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, we have created a campaign to raise awareness and visibility of this type of tumor.
We emphasize the importance of early detection, as well as the need for psychological support for teenagers before, during and after treatment.
The following interview on testicular cancer with Dr. Maite Gorostegui, pediatric oncologist who is part of the team of extracranial solid tumors of the PCCB, Hospital San Juan de Dios Barcelona, by Dr. Raquel Tulleuda, gynecologist, sexologist and communicator, is one of the pieces developed by Asociación Anita for this campaign.
Dr. Maite Gorostegui and Dr. Raquel Tulleuda.
Find out more about testicular cancer in this presentation we have created to raise awareness and visibility during this month of April.
INCIDENCE
Testicular cancer is the most frequent tumor in males between 15 and 35 years of age.
Fortunately, the vast majority of patients are cured, even in those cases where the disease is initially very advanced.
DIAGNOSIS
When approaching a probable case of testicular cancer, in addition to asking about the symptoms and exploring the patient, the study is completed with the following tests:
General laboratory tests: including LDH, alpha-fetoprotein and β-hCG, which are used in the case of germ cell tumors as tumor markers.
Ultrasound of the testicle: Crucial test, which allows distinguishing a tumor from other benign entities that could also cause a palpable nodule in the testicle.
Computerized axial tomography (CT) of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis: This allows the study of the rest of the organs in the body and the main testicular lymphatic drainage pathways, which is essential for a correct staging of the case.
In case of suspicion of brain or bone metastasis there are other more specific tests such as brain MRI and bone scintigraphy that would help to determine the diagnosis.
When it is malignant, its treatment always includes surgery of the involved testicle (orchiectomy) and sometimes, also additional treatments such as chemotherapy...
Early detection may decrease the need for these additional treatments.
Self-examination of the testicles is the best ally, identifying any possible sign as soon as possible. Teenagers , in the midst of their physical and emotional development, are often embarrassed to tell their parents that they have noticed a lump and consult them about it, this is something that we must change through the visibility and awareness of this type of tumor.
The current research challenge in testicular cancer, and in germ cell tumors in general, focuses mainly in improving the long-term effects of treatment.
But beyond the physical aspect, testicular cancer presents a second very concrete and important challenge: the psycho-emotional impact that the removal of a testicle has on teenagers and young men who suffer from it.
Testicular cancer can profoundly affect self-esteem, body image, and the anxiety related to fertility and sexual function. It is critical to be informed and receive emotional support in order to get back to normal as soon as possible.
Due to the rarity of childhood germ cell tumors, research and awareness are critical to improve early detection and treatment.
Research is the only way to advance in the improvement of its treatment.
It is for this reason that in 2022, Asociación Benéfica Anita created the M371 TEST-GCT Pediatric Biomarker research project, specific of the Pediatric Germ Cell Tumor, at the Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona research laboratory.
This is an open clinical trial to evaluate the role of this new biomarker (miRNA 371) in order to better individualize treatments for this type of tumor.
This new project is open to all Spanish pediatric oncology centers, through the Spanish Society of Pediatric Oncology (SEHOP), which allows the inclusion of all children and teenagers diagnosed with a malignant germ cell tumor in Spain.