Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tissues of one or both testes. It has been found that testicular cancer originates in the germ cells; these cells produce sperms. Almost 90% of these cases originate in the germ cells.

Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of testicular cancer is still not known. Having an undescended testicle has been found to be a risk factor for testicular cancer even if the testes are relocated to its proper place through surgical methods. An abnormal development of the testes caused by conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome, might increase the risk of developing testicular cancer. This type of cancer is found to be more common in Caucasian men and also to be more prevalent in young men aged between 15 and 49.

Types of testicular cancer
There are two main classifications of germ cell testicular cancer. They are seminomas and non-seminomas. Seminomas are the most common type of testicular cancer. Non-seminomas include teratomas, embryonal carcinomas, choriocarcinomas, and yolk sac tumors. The less common types of testicular cancer are Leydig cell tumors, Sertoli cell tumors, and lymphoma.

Symptoms
Some of the common symptoms of testicular cancer include a painless swelling or lump on either testicle or a sensation of pain, discomfort, or numbness in the testicle or scrotum. Some people notice a change in the size or the way one testicle feels, have fluid buildup in the scrotum, or have a dull pain or ache in the area. In some rare cases, it has been found that the tumors in the testicle cause hormonal changes that cause breast growth or tenderness in the breast tissue (gynecomastia). Pain in the lower back, shortness of breath, chest pain, and bloody sputum or phlegm are the signs that cancer has progressed to the later stages. Sometimes, the swelling in one or both legs caused by a blood clot can be a symptom of testicular cancer.

Treatment
The treatment for all stages of testicular cancer involves surgery to remove the affected testicle (known as orchidectomy or orchiectomy) or lymph nodes. Surgery may be followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy to kill all the cancerous cells in the body. Sometimes men who have been diagnosed with testicular cancer are also found to have deposits of tumors in their lungs and other organs which also have to be treated with surgery and chemotherapy. It is very rare for both testes to have to be removed. If this is necessary, testosterone replacement therapy will be done after the surgery. If the individual has healthy sperm, sperm bank options can also be considered. Reconstructive surgery with the implantation of artificial or prosthetic testes is an option. A new method of surgical removal of the lymph nodes is called Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection (RPLND) and is used to surgically remove testicular cancer with minimal nerve damage. RPLND can be performed before or after chemotherapy as per the individual’s cancer treatment requirement.