Testicular Mesothelioma
May 13, 2009 by Jack
Testicular mesothelioma is when malignant tumors invade the tunica vaginalis; a membranous lining that surrounds, protects & insulates the testicles. Since the testicles are the reproductive organs of the human body, it can be very dangerous if they are damaged by cancerous tumors. The tunica vaginalis is composed of mesothelial cells, which are cells that line the body’s serous cavities and internal organs and provide protective, non-adhesive surfaces. Mesothelial cells also help in transporting fluids and cells across the serous cavities. The image on the left is of the tunica vaginalis composed of 2 layers; parietal (outer) layer and visceral (inner) layer.
Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of mesothelioma lung cancer out there with only 100 cases diagnosed this year. Since it is extremely rare, doctors do not know exactly how it is caused. Scientists suggest 2 possible ways how testicular mesothelioma can develop; 1) patients with testicular mesothelioma have primary tumorous cells in the peritoneal membrane, while developing secondary tumors in one or both of the testicles and 2) patients develop primary tumors in the testicles. When testicular mesothelioma develops as a secondary tumor, it is quite possible that the source of the Cancer is a peritoneal tumor that spreads (metastasizes) to other organs and areas of the body, including the lymph nodes. Scientists still however do not know how a primary tumor can develop directly in the testicles.
How do cells become cancerous? Once a primary tumor forms in the testicle or in the peritoneal membrane, cells go out of control and can no longer control their growth. They divide without restraint which then causes the tunica vaginalis to thicken and grow. This eventually leads to the formation of tumors.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Testicular Mesothelioma
Due to the rarity of testicular mesothelioma, there is no recognized set of symptoms for this form of cancer. In the majority of the few reported cases of the disease, noticeable symptoms have been confined to the appearance of testicular lumps and swelling of the scrotum.
Testicular mesothelioma is not usually diagnosed until these lumps appear. In some cases, testicular mesothelioma has been detected when a patient undergoes surgery for another reason (such as hernia repair). In these cases, a sample of tissue may be removed (or biopsied) for diagnostic purposes, or the entire tumor may be removed.
Treatment for Testicular Mesothelioma
Testicular mesothelioma treatment typically involves removal of a portion of one testicle, or even an entire testicle if necessary, depending on the extent of the cancer. Treatment may be followed by chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Because testicular mesothelioma is often a secondary tumor, and the primary tumor is located within the peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdominal cavity), treatment may not be as simple as removing testicular tumors. In these cases, the primary tumors must be treated as well.
When a patient undergoes chemotherapy they typically receive chemotherapy medications through an IV. The drugs target and kill rapidly dividing cancerous cells, preventing their growth. Radiation therapy is also used to kill existing cancerous cells and prohibit the growth of new harmful cells by radiating the infected area.
It should be noted that both peritoneal and testicular mesothelioma are classified as being clinically aggressive types of asbestos cancer . This means they can spread rapidly and invasively. In addition, testicular mesothelioma tends to recur within a few years, even in cases where tumors are surgically removed.
