Signs of testicular cancer are easy to spot if you know what to look for. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer for men between the ages of 18 and 40. In this article, I’ll show you what to look for to recognize it and get treatment fast.

Good News

The good news about testicular cancer is that it is highly treatable in most cases, even if it has spread. You should still do a self examination every month because the earlier you catch it, the better. Not only will you have a better chance of beating it but you will also be less likely to need further treatment.

Lump

The classic sign of testicular cancer is a lump. The surface of the testis is smooth and you should not feel anything irregular even if you give it a small squeeze. If you feel a ridge or a nodule or something like a peanut that is different then you need to see your doctor and get checked out.

There is something that runs along the back and top and bottom of your testis called the epididymis. This is a tube-like structure that is not part of your testis and is perfectly normal.

I strongly advise you to do more research on the internet to find out how to perform a testicular self examination.

Hardening

Some men don’t have a lump at all but instead they get a hardening of the testis. Normally, the testis is slightly soft and has some “give” to it when compressed slightly. But some men who get a testicular tumor find the whole testis becomes hard.

Pain

Sometimes there can even be pain. In fact, most testicular tumors are not painful at all. But sometimes they can be.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that every man needs to learn how to do a self exam and perform it once a month.

Also, the main thing to take from this article is to learn about your own testes and then if there are any unusual changes to go and see your doctor. If you are in any doubt then see your doctor, don’t be embarrassed.

Need to know more about testicular cancer causes and treatment? Get the concise TC facts you need here: Testicular Cancer Library.

Shock!

The initial thing to do is panic, as expected. Everyone around you fall to their knees and feel lost, you too.

I did too, but I transcended myself, and performed beyond expectation. You may not believe that this could happen but I will tell you no matter what you think. I chose to survive, and now I am months away from graduation from a diploma course, which I started during my treatment.

Transcend yourself

What makes you transcend yourself? Is it an expectation? Well, I can tell you, no. However, the fact is there for all to know, I believed in life. When you have an objective, and a will to live, you will naturally pick yourself up, and think of what to do, not wait for miracles. This is not the time to plan for an end, this is the time to conquer what nature tests you on.

I had two tumors, and now I live with a restricted diet. In addition, immunity problems too. So, I feel I can understand how you feel. The only thing that has pushed me and kept my head up from dropping down, is the purpose in life. You and I should know that there are many children out there, suffering since the day they were born. This gives you the purpose, help them, and live!

You fall when people tell you to.

You realize that the main reason others fall to submission and acceptance of “fate”, is when everyone around you shows you a negative impression. This is their submission to “fate”.

I live to see more people frown and jeer at others, but I suffer and still seem in a better state than many others, who are totally normal. I know they need to be positive in life.

Stanley Lai is a cancer survivor who achieved in an awkward way and lived on. He now writes articles to inspire others and help them to overcome challenges in life.
Here is where you can find out more about Learn

Introduction

This is the most common primary tumor of the eye in children. It arises from the retina. .The retina is a layer of nerve tissue that coats the back of the eye, which is important for vision of person. Retinoblasts (immature cells of the retina) multiply during gestation and early life, to make enough cells to create the retina. As child grows, these cells mature & no longer differentiate. If these immature retinoblasts turn into cancer cells, retinoblastoma develops, the cause of which is unknown. The gene responsible is RB1 gene.

Incidence:

The annual incidence is one in 20000 children. It occurs most often in children under 4 years of age.

Types:

Hereditary:
Hereditary form of Retinoblastoma occurs in 40%.
May have more than one tumor
Tumor often affects both eyes
May have tumors in other parts of the body
At increased risk for other cancers later in life

Non-hereditary:
Most children with retinoblastoma (60%) do not have the genetic form.
They develop tumor in only one eye i.e. unilateral.
These children do not have an increased risk of developing other cancers.
Their offspring have the same risk of developing retinoblastoma as other children in the population.

Symptoms:

A pupil that looks white or red instead of the usual black i.e. called as white or cat’s eye reflex.
A crossed eye i.e. strabismus.
Poor vision
A red, painful eye
An enlarged pupil
Differently colored irises

Investigations:

Examination under general anesthesia using Retcam
Ultrasound
CT (CAT) scan
MRI
CSF examination
Bone marrow studies
Bone scan in advanced disease
Chromosomal analysis (in certain cases)

Management:

1.Surgery to remove the eye, known as enucleation. This s done when there is no vision in eye to save further spread & life. Enucleation may also be recommended if the tumor does not respond to treatment.

2.Chemotherapy is used to shrink tumors in the eye. This approach is often used in children with bilateral disease (both eyes) for saving at least one eye which has less disease. It is also used in small tumors where the eye vision is present to save the eye. in combination with other measures such as

1.Photocoagulation–using laser light to destroy blood vessels supplying the tumor.

2.Thermotherapy–using heat to destroy tumor cells

3.Cryotherapy–using extreme cold to destroy tumor cells

4.Radiation Therapy-It is used for control of local disease with preservation of vision. Radiation plaque therapy and particle beam radiotherapy are used frequently.

Prognosis:

The five-year survival rate for children with retinoblastoma is more than 90%.

Consulting surgeon having an in depth knowledge about various types of surgeries.Also keeps interest of writing and online publishing.Visit http://paediatric-cancer.blogspot.com for more information about pediatric cancer & other diseases in children.

Every day, millions of people around the world are battling cancer. There are many techniques and treatments to help people heal from this life-threatening disease. Some of the most common we hear about are very powerful chemical and radiation therapies. As another level of support when battling cancer, simple techniques using diet and nutrition can play a significant role in assisting the healing process.

Here are 8 ideas that can provide nutritional support for people fighting cancer:

1. Eat raw foods

To maximize the cancer-fighting power of fruits and vegetables, eating uncooked, unprocessed plants contributes enzymes for digestion and provides the highest levels of nutrients.

2. Eat Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits contain just about every class of chemicals known for being anti-mutagenic or anti-carcinogenic.

3. Lemon & Honey

To help a person stay well and to assist with purification during chemotherapy, he or she can drink a glass of water with lemon and honey each morning.

4. Red Beans & Rice

Complementary proteins, such as red beans and rice are a good choice to prevent muscle-wasting.

5. Tumeric

Tumeric is a superior anticancer herb for anyone, whether he or she is following Ayurvedic principles or not.

6. Foods with Indole-3-Carbinol

Indole-3-carbinol is a cancer-fighting nutrient chemical found in cauliflower, cabbage, & broccoli.

7. Eat Less Fat

Consuming too much fat can be especially problematic to someone with cancer because it is known to stimulate cancer cell division and growth.

8. Organic Whole Foods

And for anyone fighting cancer, nothing can take the place of organic, unprocessed, whole foods.

These suggestions are not intended to be a substitute for any modern medical practice in treating cancer. And there are no guarantees of their effects. But studies have shown that people who consistently follow a diet based on natural health principals can see an improvement in their overall health and wellness as well as improvements in many medical conditions that they face.

Discover a wealth of knowledge on natural health at Clayton College of Natural Health and learn more about us at Clayton College on Squidoo.

Testicular cancer chemotherapy is the most common treatment given to those affected by this increasingly common disease. In this article, I’ll describe the different forms of chemotherapy and when they are used.

When Not To Use Chemotherapy

Not everyone diagnosed with testicular cancer will need chemotherapy.

Men diagnosed with Stage I testicular cancer may opt for surveillance or radiation. A light version of chemotherapy, carboplatin, is an increasingly popular option, however. Some may also opt for surgery.

Men with Stage II testicular cancer but only minimal spread of disease may not always receive chemotherapy. Sometimes an operation known as an RPLND is done instead and sometimes radiation is given.

Carboplatin

This is a light version of chemotherapy that takes only a single hospital visit to deliver. It is used as a preventative treatment for Stage I seminoma patients who wish to reduce the chances of a relapse.

It is less severe than other forms of chemotherapy to the degree that hair loss is rare. However, the long term risks of carboplatin are unknown as it has only been used for treatment of testicular cancer for a few years.

BEP

BEP is a chemotherapy course of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin. It was pioneered by Dr. Lawrence Einhorn of Indiana University and is now considered the gold standard of chemotherapy for most cases where cancer has spread.

It is generally given as 3 cycles and complete recovery takes around 9 weeks.

EP

EP is the same as BEP but minus the bleomycin. It is normally given in 4 cycles. It is considered equivalent to BEP but the two have different side effects. BEP can cause more lung complications whereas EP carries a greater risk of leukemia , neuropathy and hearing loss.

VIP/HDC

VIP (etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin) and HDC (high dose chemo) are only used for very high risk patients and are much less common.

Recently diagnosed or affected by testicular cancer? Get the concise facts you need to know about testicular cancer here: Testicular Cancer Library.

Staging of testicular cancer (or any cancer for that matter) is a standardised method of assessing how much spread there is in your body. By identifying your stage, the appropriate treatment can be given, adjusted for any unique circumstances. In this article, I’ll discuss the broad staging of testicular cancer.

Stage I

Stage I testicular cancer means that there is no evidence of spread elsewhere in your body. This is confirmed using CT scans and X-rays.

There are also subdivisions of this stage to indicate the risk of having spread in future. If the cancer has been caught early then you could stand as high as an 85% chance of already being cured and many men opt for close surveillance and are only treated if the cancer spreads (it can be caught early by scans).

Stage II

This is where cancer has spread to the lymph nodes of the retroperitoneum. The spread of testicular cancer is highly predictable in most cases and this is usually the first place that it will spread to.

There are a number of treatment options if this has happened. Most men will undergo chemotherapy. Some may undergo radiation and some may undergo an operation known as an RPLND where the affected lymph nodes are removed.

There are subdivisions of this stage depending on how small or large the affected lymph nodes are.

Stage III

If cancer has spread further then it is called Stage III. Usually, the spread occurs to the lungs next. In more aggressive cancers it can spread directly to organs such as the brain.

Testicular cancer is still highly treatable for many men, even those who are classified as Stage III. Chemotherapy is mandatory for Stage III patients. Surgery may also be required to remove any masses that remain after chemotherapy.

Recently diagnosed or affected by testicular cancer? Get the solid facts from a survivor here: Testicular Cancer Library.

Metastatic testicular cancer is cancer that has spread beyond the testicle to the rest of the body. Fortunately, testicular cancer is still highly curable even at this stage. In this article, I’ll explain a little more about how testicular cancer spreads and the treatments that can be used.

Tumor Type Is Important

The type of tumor is very important when considering the spread of this cancer. There are actually several different types of testicular tumor.

CT Scan & X-Rays

CT scans and X-rays are the standard method of scanning the body for tumors that may have spread beyond the testicle. Even if your affected testicle is removed and your first scans are clear you must continue getting scans for up to 10 years as it can take a long time for any metastatic cancer to develop and show up.

Predictable Pattern Of Spread

Testicular cancer has, in most cases, a highly predictable pattern of metastasis (spread). It normally first appears in the retroperitoneum (abdomen) and next in the lungs. Even if it has spread this far it is still highly curable.

The spread is predictable because the cancer spreads via the lymphatic system.

Unpredictable Spread

In a few aggressive tumor types, there can be spread via the blood to potentially any site in the body e.g. the brain and the kidneys. Treatment will be different for such tumor types.

Treatment

If testicular cancer has spread, it is still usually highly treatable. Radiation is seldom used these days and the most common treatment is 3 courses of BEP chemotherapy. Sometimes, 4 courses of EP chemotherapy are used instead.

For cases where spread is greater and tumors are more aggressive, VIP chemotherapy or high dose chemotherapy may be used instead.

Worried about or recently diagnosed with testicular cancer? Get the concise lowdown on this cancer from a survivor here: Testicular Cancer Library.

There are worrying trends of increased testicular cancer cases in the last few decades. Luckily, recent advances mean that it is highly treatable. But why is there an increase in the first place? In this article, I’ll give you an idea of how cryptochordism, low fertility, environmental factors and the western lifestyle all have a part to play.

Cryptochordism

Cryptochordism is when a infant has undescended testicles. The testicles originate in the abdomen and then pass into the inguinal canal before they reach the scrotum.

This is a process that should take place shortly before or after birth. But in some boys, this does not happen.

Unfortunately, this can lead to an increased risk of testicular cancer, even in the other testis that might have descended normally.

Cryptochordism is a known risk factor for testicular cancer but nobody knows exactly why or how.

Low Fertility

Recent studies have shown that men with lower fertility are at increased risk of testicular cancer. It is not necessarily true that infertility causes cancer but that the root cause for both is probably a shared one.

Environmental Factors

Scientists think that chemicals in plastic packaging that enter the food may affect the risk of developing testicular cancer. Pollution is also thought to be a significant factor.

Because testicular cancer takes many years to develop, it is thought that the damaging exposure to environmental “toxins” may occur during gestation, when you are still a developing foetus.

Western Lifestyle

Like most other cancers, testicular cancer incidence is strongly linked with the western lifestyle. It is likely that our diet and environment play a large part and our genetics less so.

Worried about testicular cancer? Get the facts from a survivor here: Testicular Cancer Library

Symptoms of testicular cancer are easy to spot if you know what to look out for. In this article, I’ll take you through the steps you need to take to check yourself for possible symptoms so that you can get fast treatment.

Know Your Testicles

First of all, you should get familiar with your own testicles. Many guys do not even know the anatomy of their testicles and have never explored them before. I suggest you find a good self-examination video on Youtube.

But basically, each testis is an smooth ovoid shape. Attached to the back of the testis is the epididymis. This is a loose, tubular structure adhered to the back and ending at the top and bottom of the testis. The testis also has a spermatic cord attached to the top of it.

Lump

The classic symptom of testicular cancer is a small lump. Tumors originate from inside the testicle itself so you need to push and feel the testis (without causing pain) to look for one.

When you feel your testis there should be a little “give” and this is quite normal. Palpate the testis like this and if you feel anything like a hard pea or peanut then it could be a tumor.

Hardening

Some guys don’t get the classic lump. Instead, the entire testis becomes harder over a short space of time.

Swelling

Sometimes the entire testis can swell to as much as three times the size. Definitely get this checked out.

Pain

Most testicular tumors are painless. Therefore many guys think that if they have a lump that hurts then it is not cancer. This is not true. Sometimes, there can be pain associated with the tumor.

Unusual Changes

Basically, know your testicles and check them once per month. If anything changes then get them checked out immediately. Your doctor will probably order an ultrasound and this should give a reliable diagnosis.

Worried about testicular cancer? Get the concise facts about testicular cancer from a survivor here: Testicular Cancer Library.

One of the first things you should do in your battle against cancer is to re-alkalize your body pH, and soon the cancer cells will begin operating normally! A highly alkalized body cannot retain enough acid in the cellular fluids to provide the acidic environment that cancer needs in order to carry on its slow fermentation of glucose, its favorite food.

Cancer cells are very acidic, and because acidic solutions expel oxygen, the glucose can slowly ferment in an acidic solution. Glucose cannot slowly ferment in an alkaline solution, because alkaline solutions generally absorb oxygen, so when you neutralize the acid inside cancer cells the fermentation of glucose stops and the cells revert back to burning glucose with oxygen like normal cells do. This oxygen rich-alkaline environment promotes normal cellular respiration, and the cancer cells get “sick” for lack of their preferred food (fermented glucose).

This is one of the most potent ways for your body to heal itself of cancerous growth! By starving the cancer cells with an oxygen rich-alkaline environment.

Most foods and drinks we consume are acidic, various cooked meats, processed grains, sugar, and soft drinks are all very acidic. You don’t have to give up all of your favorite foods. You simply need to choose healthier acidic food options, and keep them at approximately 30 percent of your diet. While increasing alkaline foods to 70 percent of your diet. You’ll need to drink approximately 30 ounces of pure clean water daily, along with certain alkaline mineral-dense fruits and vegetables when re-alkalizing the body.

Additionally, because of the high level of lactic acid leaking out of those “sick” cancer cells, the immune system can finally recognize them and target the tumor(s) for destruction by specific immune cells.

Yours in cancer free living!

Rick Walkemeyer

About the Author

Rick Walkemeyer is a freelance writer of articles and eBooks that help others defeat their cancer in its tracks! His website is http://www.designed4health.com where you can read many of his free articles and purchase the eBooks for instant online delivery! There’s no obligation to buy anything ever!

So don’t miss this opportunity to make this the turning point in your life! Just click on the blue designed4health link above so you can get access to more FREE articles.