Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- age 20 to 34 years
- testicular mass
Risk factors
- cryptorchidism
- gonadal dysgenesis
- family history of testicular cancer
- personal history of testicular cancer
- testicular atrophy
- white ethnicity
- HIV infection
- chemical carcinogens and low sperm count
- rural residence
- higher socioeconomic status
- inguinal hernia
- genetic abnormality of chromosome 12
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- ultrasound (colour Doppler) of testis
- CT scan (abdomen and pelvis)
- serum beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG)
- serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
- serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
Investigations to consider
- CXR
- serum placenta alkaline phosphatase
- serum gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT)
- MRI scan (abdomen and pelvis)
- CT scan chest
- histological examination of testicular mass post-orchiectomy
Treatment algorithm
Contributors
Authors
Associate Professor of Surgery/Urology
Director of Prostate Cancer Fellowship Program
School of Medicine
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora
CO
Disclosures
ABB declares that he has no competing interests.
Assistant Professor
University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine
University of Colorado Cancer Center
Aurora
CO
Disclosures
BB declares that he has no competing interests.
Dr Al B. Barqawi and Dr Brandon Bernard would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Elizabeth R. Kessler and Dr Thomas W. Flaig, previous contributors to this monograph. ERK and TWF declare that they have no competing interests.
Peer reviewers
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Oncology
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Wayne State University
Detroit
MI
Disclosures
EH declares that she has no competing interests.
Consultant/Honorary Senior Lecturer in Medical Oncology
SW Wales Cancer Institute/Department of Oncology
Singleton Hospital
Sketty
Swansea
UK
Disclosures
GB declares that he has no competing interests.
Senior Lecturer in Medical Oncology
School of Cancer Sciences
University of Birmingham
Birmingham
UK
Disclosures
EP declares that he has no competing interests.
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer