Download Seminoma of the testis

Definitions
8,500 testicular cancers diagnosed each year are one of two types of seminomas–seminoma,
classic or seminoma, spermatocytic. The cancer can occur in one or both testicles. The cure
Germ cell: Cells that
rate is 70 to 95 percent, depending upon how
produce sperm. Ninety extensively the cancer has spread. Nearly 140,000
of testicular
Patient Education Series provided bypercent
Professional
Pathology
Services,
PC States have survived testicular
men
in the United
cancers start here.
cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Testicular Cancer
Testicle: The male
reproductive organ
that produces sperm
and the hormone
Definitions
testosterone.
Seminoma of the Testis
Testicular Cancer
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seminoma of the testis?
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Seminoma of the testis is a form of germ cell testicular cancer. About
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Who
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seminoma
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can
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· A painless
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either
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Seminoma of the testis.
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Testicular cancer is the most common form
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chromosome
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immunodeficiency
virus
infection and a family history of testicular cancer.
andofcapable
of
Risk factors include a medical history
undescended
testicles, abnormal testicular development,
How does
the pathologist
What
characterizes
seminoma of the testis?
spreading.
Klinefelter’s syndrome (a sex chromosome
disorder), or previous
testicular
cancer.
Other
possible risk
make
the diagnosis?
These
tumors
are usually confined to the testicles. In some cases, the cancer spreads to the
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primary
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may include:
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and
beyond.
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examines tissues and
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the lower
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Definitions
These
tumors are usually confined
to thebuild-up
testicles.
In some
pass
your
physician
may
a scrotal
· A through,
sudden
of fluid
in theorder
scrotum
Normal testicular cells.
disease in order
for theand
pathologist
to of
examine
to confirm
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or beyond.
a feeling
heaviness
in the a solid mass.
cases,
the cancer
spreads toultrasound
thelymph
nodes
to assist
in making
Yourscrotum
physician also may order a blood test. The pathologist will search
treatment decisions.
Germ cell:
your blood sample
for tumor
markers associated with seminoma of the testis including human
Sometimes,
no symptoms
occur.
Symptoms include:
chorionic gonadotrophin (beta HCG) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). These blood marker
Copyright © 2011.
Cells that produce sperm.
• A
painless
lump or swelling
either
testicle
testsindoes
also
can
monitor
the response to treatment.
College
of American
How
the
pathologist
Ninety percent of testicular
Pathologists. For use and
(continued
on next page)
make
the diagnosis?
What is seminoma of the testis?
Who is likely to have seminoma of the testis?
What characterizes seminoma of the testis?
cancers start here.
Testicle:
The male reproductive
organ that produces
sperm and the hormone
testosterone.
Scrotum:
A sack of loose skin holding
the testicles, located
directly below the penis.
Malignant:
Cancerous and capable
of spreading.
Pathologist:
A physician who examines
tissues and fluids to
diagnose disease in
order to assist in making
treatment decisions.
•
•
•
•
A
change in how the testicle feels
reproduction by patients
You or your primary care doctor may discover
and ache
CAP members
only. abdomen or groin
An
in the lower
an unusual, firm mass within the testicle. Your
A sudden build-up of fluid
in the scrotum
physician
may hold a flashlight to the scrotum to see
if light passes through the mass. If light does not
Pain, discomfort, or a feeling
of
heaviness
in the scrotum
pass through, your physician may order a scrotal
ultrasound for the pathologist to examine to confirm a solid mass.
Sometimes, no symptoms occur.
Your physician also may order a blood test. The pathologist will search
Normal testicular cells.
your blood sample for tumor markers associated with seminoma of the testis including human
How
does ©the2011.
pathologist chorionic
make thegonadotrophin
diagnosis? (beta HCG) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). These blood marker
Copyright
tests also can monitor the response to treatment.
College of American
You
or your primary care doctor
may discover an unusual, firm mass within the testicle. Your physician
Pathologists. For use and
(continued on next page)
reproduction
by patientsto the scrotum to see if light passes through the mass. If light does not pass through,
may
hold a flashlight
and CAP members only.
your physician may order a scrotal ultrasound for the pathologist to examine to confirm a solid mass.
Your physician also may order a blood test. The pathologist will search your blood sample for tumor
markers associated with seminoma of the testis including human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta HCG)
and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). These blood marker tests also can monitor the response to treatment.
What else does the pathologist look for?
If the initial tests point toward cancer, a surgeon will remove the testicle containing the unusual mass to
obtain a biopsy specimen for the pathologist to examine. The surgeon also may gather lymph nodes from the
abdominal area for the pathologist to examine to determine if the cancer has spread. Your pathologist also may
review a chest x-ray or CT scan results to see if the cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes. With the results
of the biopsy and all tests, the pathologist can determine the type and stage of the cancer. Stage 1 cancers
are confined to the testicle, stage 2 to thelymph nodes in the abdomen, and stage 3 beyond thelymph nodes.
For more information, go to www.cancer.gov (National Cancer Institute) or www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
(US Library of Medicine). Type the keywords testicular cancer or non-seminoma
carcinoma of the testis into the search box.
Professional Pathology Services, PC
One Science Court • Suite 200 • Columbia, SC 29203
803.252.1913 • 866.252.1913 • w w w . p p s p a t h . c o m
© 2011 College of American Pathologists Reproduced for patients with permission from CAP.