什么是睾丸癌？

睾丸癌是一种恶性（癌症）细胞在单侧或双侧睾丸组织中形成的疾病。睾丸是位于阴囊（位于阴茎正下方的松弛皮肤囊）内的两个卵形腺体。睾丸通过精索悬吊在阴囊内，精索中还包含输精管以及睾丸的血管和神经。[2]

睾丸是男性的性腺，负责分泌睾酮并产生精子。睾丸内的生殖细胞产生未成熟的精子，这些精子通过一系小管（细小的管道）和较大的管道进入附睾（位于睾丸旁的一条长而盘曲的管道），在那里精子成熟并被储存起来。[2]

Almost all testicular cancers start in the germ cells. The two main types of testicular germ cell tumors are seminomas and nonseminomas. These 2 types grow and spread differently and are treated differently. Nonseminomas tend to grow and spread more quickly than seminomas. Seminomas are more sensitive to radiation. A testicular tumor that contains both seminoma and nonseminoma cells is treated as a nonseminoma. [2]The good news is that it is one of the most treatable and survivable types of cancer. When caught at stage 1, 99% of guys diagnosed with testicular cancer survive it, and go on to lead normal, active lives.[1]According to The Testicular Cancer Foundation, the best way for men to be proactive is to do a monthly self-exam of their testicles to check for lumps, hardness or swelling. It’s easy to do in the shower.

[1] 美国国家癌症研究所，2006年。http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/testis.html?statfacts_page=testis.html&x=17&y=13

[2] 美国国家癌症研究所，2014年。http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/testicular/Patient