Can I have a child even if I have testicular cancer
A fertility clinic can preserve your sperm. To collect your sperm entails collecting sperm samples prior to the start of your therapy. When you’re ready to have children, your sperm may be utilized to make your spouse pregnant.
If you believe you may want children in the future, speak to your doctor about fertility preservation alternatives before undergoing cancer treatment. The procedure of collecting sperm may be time-consuming, so it’s critical to get started as soon as feasible.
For the best fertility center in Delhi, contact World IVF center.
Effects on Fertility
When you have testicular cancer, you may be concerned about preserving your fertility.
Because one of your testicles is removed during therapy, your body produces less sperm.
Unknown complications in the remaining testicle that aren’t connected to testicular cancer may occur. These issues may potentially have an impact on your fertility.
If you take chemotherapy following the testicle removal procedure, your sperm count may be impacted as well. Chemotherapy works by eliminating rapidly multiplying cells, including those that produce new sperm.
Your sperm production may not fully rebound once you finish treatment. You might have low sperm counts for the rest of your life, or your sperm production could cease entirely. Book your appointment with the best infertility center in delhi at World IVF center.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS AND SIGNIFICANCES OF TESTICULAR CANCER?
It should be mentioned that testicular cancer normally affects just one testicle, and the symptoms that a man usually notices are as follows:
- A bulge in one of the testicles
- Discomfort in the groin or abdomen
- Heaviness in the scrotum due to a rapid accumulation of fluid in the scrotum
- Discomfort or pain in the testicle or scrotum region
- Breast enlargement or tenderness is a condition in which the breasts enlarge or become painful.
- Backache
You should see a doctor if you notice any discomfort, swelling, or a lump in the testicles or groin region, especially if any signs and symptoms persist for more than two weeks.
CAUSES OF TESTICULAR CANCER
The specific etiology of testicular cancer is not always known. According to research, particular changes in the DNA of the testicular cell may lead that cell to become malignant. To maintain the body running normally, healthy cells develop and divide predictably. However, some cells have abnormalities, causing growth to spiral out of control – these are cancer cells, and they continue to divide even when new cells aren’t required. These cells begin to clump together and form a mass in the testicle. The majority of testicular malignancies originate in the germ cells. Germ cells are testicular cells that create immature sperm. However, it is unknown what causes germ cells to become aberrant and grow into cancer.
HOW IS TESTICULAR CANCER DIAGNOSED?
Men frequently find testicular cancer on their own, either unintentionally or when doing a self-examination to look for lumps in the testicles. Alternatively, a lump may be discovered during a standard physical examination by a doctor. The doctor may suggest the following tests to assess whether or not the mass in the testicles is cancerous:
Ultrasound — Using ultrasound, the doctor may assess the nature of any testicular tumors that are discovered – whether they are solid or fluid-filled. The doctor may also use ultrasound to determine if the tumors are within or outside the testicle.
Blood testing – Your doctor may prescribe blood tests to check for the presence of tumor markers in your blood. An increased tumor marker may indicate that a man has testicular cancer; however, this is not always the case. However, it may assist the doctor in making an accurate diagnosis.
Surgery to remove a testicle – If it is discovered after testing that the mass in the testis is malignant, surgery to remove the testicle is performed. The excised testicle is next examined to determine whether or not the mass is malignant, and if so, what form of cancer it is.
WHAT ARE THE TESTICULAR CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS?
When a doctor confirms a diagnosis of testicular cancer, the following step is generally to determine the stage of the disease. Treatment choices may differ depending on how far cancer has gone and how much it has damaged your general health.
Testicular cancer stages are represented by Roman numerals ranging from 0 to III, with the lowest stage signifying that the cancer is localized to the testicle region. When it reaches stage three (stage III), the cancer is considered advanced, and there is a chance that it has spread to other regions of the body, such as the lungs.
Testicular surgery – Testicular surgery, also known as radical inguinal orchiectomy, is the main therapy for almost all stages and kinds of testicular cancer. The procedure for removing the testicle entails the surgeon making an incision in the groin region and extracting the whole testicle via the orifice. In situations with early-stage testicular cancer, surgical excision of the testis may be the only therapy required.
Surgery to remove a lymph node – Surgery to remove neighboring lymph nodes, known as retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, is also performed via an incision in the belly. The surgeon should take care not to damage the nerves around the lymph nodes, although this is sometimes unavoidable. If the nerves are injured, it might make ejaculation difficult but will not prevent an erection.
Radiation treatment employs high-powered radiation beams to attack cancer cells. This treatment is effective in seminoma testicular cancer. It may also be advised if you have had surgery to remove your testicle. Possible side effects are nausea, weariness, discomfort, and skin redness around the abdomen and groin region. For the time being, it may also lower sperm count and, therefore, affect a man’s fertility. As a result, before starting radiation treatment, it is advisable to consult with your doctor about your fertility preservation alternatives.
Chemotherapy is a treatment that includes the use of chemicals to destroy cancer cells. A patient may be advised to undergo the therapy before or after having lymph node removal surgery. Chemotherapy side effects are usually determined by the substance used. As a result, it is usually a good idea to question the doctor about the benefits and drawbacks of the therapy ahead of time. Fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and increased susceptibility to infection are all common adverse effects. Medication and therapies may help to mitigate these negative effects. However, it may cause infertility in certain males, and in other cases, the harm is irreversible. As a result, it is critical to consult with a doctor regarding fertility preservation before beginning chemotherapy.
WHAT FERTILITY OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MEN WITH TESTICULAR CANCER?
Radiation and chemotherapy have a high sensitivity to the testis. Either therapy may harm dividing cells in the testes and decrease sperm production, resulting in sperm cell damage. Patients will develop oligospermia (low sperm count) or azoospermia (no sperm count). So, if you are a young guy with aspirations to conceive biologically in the future, we recommend that you consider fertility preservation alternatives before taking any cancer treatment.
For males suffering testicular cancer, the following fertility preservation methods are available:
Sperm freezing – If you visit a fertility clinic, your doctor may suggest freezing your sperm before undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatment. You may keep the sperm frozen for as long as you like, and when the time comes, you can use your frozen sperm to conceive via IVF.
Testicular tissue cryopreservation (TESE) — This therapy is recommended for boys who have reached puberty and have testicular cancer, as well as men who have azoospermia. Testicular biopsy is used in the procedure, which entails taking tissues from the testicle and retrieving sperm from that tissue. If sperm is found, it will be preserved until the patient decides to do IVF. This method may even be used if the patient did not choose for sperm cryo-banking before the therapy.
Radiation shielding – During radiation therapy, protective shields are put over both testicles to prevent damage to the cells in the region caused by the radiation. It may aid to some degree by protecting sperm cells from radiation and chemotherapy.
