15. Testicular Cancer
TESTICULAR CANCER
(1) Overview
(2) Risk
factors
(3) Signs &
Symptoms
(4)
Diagnosis as per modern science
(5) Staging
(6)
Treatment as per Ayurveda
(1) Overview: -
The
testicles are a part of male reproductive system. These
two egg shaped organs in adult males, are contained within
a sac of skin called the scrotum, which hangs beneath the
base of the penis.
The
testicles manufacture the male hormones, most of which is
testosterone. They also produce sperm. Sperm cells are
carried from the testicles by the vas deferens to the
seminal vesicles, where they are mixed with fluid produced
by the prostate glands. During ejaculation, sperm cells,
seminal vesicle fluid, and prostate fluid enter the
urethra, the tube in the centre of the penis through which
both urine and semen are passed.
Almost all
testicular cancers start in the germ cells. The two main
types of testicular germ cell tumors are seminomas and
non-seminomas. These 2 types grow and spread differently
and are treated differently. Non-seminomas tend to grow
and spread more quickly than seminomas.
Testicular
cancer is more common in men 25 to 35 years old.
(2) Risk factors: -
(a) Having
had an Un-descended testicle.
(b) Having
had abnormal development of the testicle.
(c) Having
Klinefelter’s syndrome (a genetic disorder in males caused
by having an extra X-chromosome). Males with this disorder
may have larger than normal breasts, a lack of facial and
body hair, and small testicles.
(d) Age.
(3) Signs and symptoms: -
(i) A
painful lump or swelling in either testicle.
(ii) A
change in how the testicle feels.
(iii) A dull
ache in the lower abdomen or groin.
(iv) A
sudden built up of fluid in the scrotum.
(v) Pain or
discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum.
(4) Diagnosis as per modern
science: -
(a) Physical
exam and history: - An exam of the body to check general
signs of health, including checking for signs of disease,
such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. The
testicles will be examined to check for lumps, swelling,
or pain. A history of the patient's health habits and past
illnesses and treatments will also be taken.
(b)
Ultrasound: - Procedures in which high-energy sound waves
(ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs
and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues
called a sonogram.
(c) Serum
tumor marker test: - A procedure in which a sample of
blood is examined to measure the amounts of certain
substances released into the blood by organs, tissues, or
tumor cells in the body. Certain substances are linked to
specific types of cancer when found in increased levels in
the blood. These are called tumor markers.
The
following 3 tumor markers are used to detect testicular
cancer:
§
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
§
Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin
§
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
(d) Radical
inguinal orchiectomy and biopsy: -A procedure to remove
the entire testicle through an incision in the groin. A
tissue sample from the testicle is then viewed under a
microscope to check for cancer cells. The surgeon does not
cut through the scrotum into the testicle to remove a
sample of tissue for biopsy, because if cancer is present,
this procedure could cause it to spread into the scrotum
and lymph nodes.
(5) Staging: -
(1) Stage 0:
- (Carcinoma in situ) Preinvasive germ cell cancer.
(2) Stage I:
- No spread to lymph nodes or distant organs, and blood
tests are normal.
(3) Stage
II: - Cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes but not to
lymph nodes in other parts of the body or to distant
organs.
(i) Nonbulky
stage II: - Spread to lymph nodes behind the abdominal
cavity (retroperitoneal lymph nodes), and lymph nodes are
not larger than 5cms.
(ii) Bulky
stage II: - Cancer has spread to 1 or more retroperitoneal
lymph nodes, and they are larger than 5cms.
(4) Stage
III: - Cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes and/or to
distant organs, such as the lungs or liver.
(i)
Non-bulky stage III: - Metastasis are limited to lymph
nodes and lungs, and no mass is larger than 2 cms.
(ii) Bulky
Stage III: - There are large metastasis and lymph node
metastases are larger than 2 cm. and/or cancer has spread
to other organs, such as the liver or brain.
(6) Treatment as per Ayurveda: -
Results of 770 patients of
various types of cancer treated at DARF during Jan.2004 to
Dec.2004.
(1) Total no. of Primary cancer
504. In all 504 patients with primary cancer of various
types were treated at DARF.
- 13%
patients were rendered disease free
- 20.63%
patients were markedly improved
- 65.27%
patients were improved
- 0.9%
patients were uncured
(2) Total no. of Secondary
(metastases) cancer 266. In all 266 patients with
metastases of different types were treated at DARF.
- 12.03%
patients were rendered disease free
- 18.04%
patients were markedly improved
- 68.79%
patients were improved
- 1.12%
patients were uncured
The above results show the high
effectiveness of DARF anti cancer therapy.
(3) Ayurvedic Herbs Used in the
treatment of testicular cancer : -
(Keep watching this space for
more results. To be added soon article on research on high
affectivity of herbs in cancer.)
(Prepared by Divyajyot
Ayurvedic Research foundation India. We are conducting
research and treatment in Ayurvedic herbal cure of
cancer since last 25 years. The data and information
contained on this site is based on Ayurvedic herbal
wisdom and our research.)
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