testicular cancer
Meaning of testicular cancer: Testicular cancer is a cancer of the testis that most often affects younger and middle-aged men and includes two main tumor types.
Definition of testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is cancer that forms in the tissue of a testis, one of the two egg-shaped glands within the scrotum responsible for producing sperm and male hormones. It occurs most often in younger and middle-aged men, a pattern that distinguishes it from many other cancers, which more typically arise later in life.
Testicular cancer is broadly divided into two main types. Seminomas tend to grow relatively slowly and respond well to radiation therapy, while nonseminomas include several different cell types that generally grow and spread more quickly. This distinction influences how each type is evaluated and managed.
Because a change in the testis, such as a lump or swelling, is often the first noticeable finding, testicular cancer is frequently detected at an earlier stage than cancers arising in less accessible locations, and it is considered one of the more treatable solid tumors overall.
Used in a sentence
Ultrasound of the testis was performed after the patient reported a new lump.
Good to know
Seminomas and nonseminomas behave differently, with seminomas typically growing more slowly and nonseminomas more quickly, a distinction that affects how each type of testicular cancer is evaluated and managed.