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Constant increase in testicular cancer - undescended testis is a risk factor
Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in young men, and for years, medical professionals in Europe and the US have seen significantly higher numbers of cases. Scientists at the University of Chicago have now published in the journal "World Journal of Urology" a comprehensive analysis of the available data on testicular cancers in Europe and the US, showing that the likelihood of testicular cancer since 1992 in young men by almost 20 percent has increased.
Among the European countries, according to the research team of the University of Chicago, Denmark, Sweden and Norway had the highest rates of new testicular cancer. Germany is close behind, also in an unpleasant top area. The incidence rates in this country are about three times higher than in Spain, for example, and about twice as high as in the USA. What is the cause of the extremely high incidence rates in many countries, can not be derived from the data. Here further investigations are urgently needed in order to determine possible influencing variables and to eliminate risk factors if necessary.
Tumor in the testicles: These are the causes and symptoms. Picture: ghazii-fotolia Testicular elevation significantly increases the risk of testicular cancer
One of these risk factors is the so-called undescended testis, which, according to the German Society for Urology e.V. (DGU), is one of the most frequent urological diseases of children. "If the undescended testicles are not treated until the end of their first year of life, infertility and an up to 8-fold risk of developing testicular cancer later on threaten," explains the chairman of the DGU working group on child and youth urology, Professor. Raymond Stein. This developmental disorder is often recognized and treated too late, the DGU warned. Well-informed parents could make a significant contribution to early detection of undescended testicles, because the various forms of testicular malposition can not always be diagnosed without doubt in the check-ups. For example, a pendulum testicle can be tactile in a medical examination, but migrate back into the inguinal canal in cold or motion. Although a sliding floor can be pulled down, it quickly slides back into the bar. Parents should therefore pay attention to abnormalities at home.
Treatment of testicle elevation attached
According to the DGU, the testes in the affected boys usually go into the scrotum by themselves during the first six months of life, but after this time it is no longer probable and treatment by surgery or a combination of hormone therapy and surgery is indicated. The hormone therapy is carried out by nasal spray over a period of four weeks and is successful in 20 percent of cases. If it does not show the desired effect, the possibility of surgery remains. "Very early treatment of the undescended testicles will improve the later fertility of the boys and at the same time reduce the risk of later testicular cancer," said DGU spokeswoman Prof. Dr. med. Sabine Kliesch. She urges parents to take care of all checkups and pay attention to their sons on the location of the testes. If there are uncertainties, an appointment with the urologist or pediatric urologist can help. Because the testicular cancer risk remains elevated after appropriate treatment of testicular shingles later in life, according to the expert, the affected boys should also regularly scan their testicles from the beginning of puberty, paying attention to hardening and enlargement. (Fp)