Testicular cancer Flashcards
What cells do most testicular tumours arise from?
Germ cells
How can germ cell testicular tumours be divided?
Seminomas
Non-seminoas (mostly teratomas)
What non-germ cell testicular tumours exist?
Leydig cell tumour
Sertoli cell tumour
What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?
Young males
Caucasian
Family history
Infertility
Undescended testes
What is the appearance of a testicular lump in testicular cancer?
Painless
Arising from testicle
Hard
Irregular
Not fluctuant
No transillumination
What is the initial investigation for diagnosis of testicular cancer?
Scrotal ultrasound
What tumour markers may be raised in testicular cancer?
Alpha-fetoprotein - teratomas
Beta-hCG - teratomas and seminomas
LDH - non-specific tumour marker
What investigation is used to stage testicular cancer?
CT chest, abdo, pelvis
What is the Royal Marsden staging system for testicular cancer?
Stage 1 - isolated to testicle
Stage 2 - spread to retroperitoneal lymph nodes
Stage 3 - spread to lymph nodes above the diaphragm
Stage 4 - metastasised to other organs
Where does testicular cancer commonly metastasise to?
Lymphatics
Lungs
Liver
Brain
What is the management of testicular cancer?
Radical orchidectomy (a prothesis can be inserted)
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Sperm banking
What are the long term side effects of testicular cancer treatment?
Infertility
Hypogonadism
Peripheral neuropathy
Hearing loss
Increased risk of cancer in the future
