Testicular Mesothelioma and Its Causes
Testicular mesothelioma is a unique and somewhat mysterious form of cancer that affects the tunica vaginalis, the protective pouch of the serous membrane that covers the testes. What is particularly puzzling to doctors is how asbestos exposure leads to the formation of a primary tumor in this region. This connection between asbestos and testicular mesothelioma is unlike its more prevalent counterparts, pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma, where the link to asbestos exposure is more evident. The condition is visually marked by firm, white-yellow nodules appearing on the tunica vaginalis surface. These nodules can grow to encompass the scrotum’s contents and lead to membrane thickening. In some cases, local trauma and inflammation have been implicated in the cancer’s development, but many instances have no discernible risk factors at all.
Symptoms, Prognosis, and Diagnosis
When it comes to symptoms, testicular mesothelioma is most frequently signaled by a hydrocele, which is a fluid accumulation in the scrotum. However, the range of symptoms is not exclusive to this type of cancer, often leading to misdiagnoses. Many individuals with this condition have been mistakenly diagnosed with other ailments, such as hernias. Diagnosing testicular mesothelioma accurately is commonly achieved during or after a surgical procedure. To confirm a diagnosis, a biopsy is taken, where a tissue sample from the tumor is evaluated in a lab. Using immunohistochemical staining, doctors can then distinguish between testicular mesothelioma and other diseases. In terms of survival rates, the prognosis for men with this cancer is notably more optimistic than for other mesothelioma types. A significant 49% of patients have a five-year survival post-diagnosis, with 33% surviving ten years.
Treatment Options
Surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of treatment for testicular mesothelioma. This surgical approach involves removing the impacted testicle along with the entire spermatic chord. If the cancer has spread to the adjacent lymph nodes, a lymphadenectomy procedure will be employed to eliminate them. In instances where testicular mesothelioma is found to be a secondary tumor, with the primary one situated in the peritoneum, treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma becomes imperative.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, please call the Halpern Law Firm at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our form for legal help. Call today for a free case evaluation and to get more information. We have over 30 years of experience and have won over $100 million for our clients.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371211/
http://eknygos.lsmuni.lt/springer/266/Part%20Eight/3%20Item.pdf
https://europepmc.org/article/med/34185119
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002999.htm
Written By Jeff Nelson
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