From Filix Kencana, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist with OHC
April 9, 2018
Filix Kencana, MD
Medical Oncologist with OHC
One type of cancer that we don’t hear too much about is testicular cancer. It begins when healthy cells in a testicle change and grow out of control, forming a mass called a tumor. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body.
The good news regarding testicular cancer is that it’s one of the most treatable forms of cancer. For men with cancer that has not spread beyond the testicles, the survival rate is 99%.
It’s the most common cancer in men aged between 15 and 44 years. That was the case for Matt Stockwell.
At age 24, Matt, who is a patient of my colleague David Waterhouse, MD, was about to begin his last semester of graduate school. He had just finished the Flying Pig Marathon and had already secured a job for after graduation. And he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“All I could think was ‘this can’t be happening,’” said Matt. “When I got that call, I was at work. As soon as I heard the word cancer, everything stopped. I just felt lost.”
Matt wanted to move quickly to get the tumor removed, and within a week, he was in surgery followed by chemotherapy. Matt celebrated his last treatment on March 6, 2018.
“Everyone at OHC was great,” said Matt. “The best part was when they told me I would see old age. That was a relief.”
The sooner cancer is found, the better, so it’s important that men perform a monthly self-examination to find any changes. Monthly testicular self-examinations, performed after a warm shower, can help find the cancer at an early stage, when it is more likely to be successfully treated. Men who notice a lump, hardness, enlargement, pain, or any other change in one or both of their testicles should visit their doctor immediately.
Treatment could include any combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It’ll depend on factors such as they type you have, the stage and your preferences. At OHC, we make sure patients are involved in the planning of their care, from diagnosis to survivorship.
For more information about testicular and other cancers, call 1-800-710-4674 or contact us here.
Feature Photo: Matt Stockwell, pictured with members of his OHC care team, was diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 24.
Sources: The National Cancer Institute and the American Society for Clinical Oncology
