Testicular Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims

If you’re unsure, reaching out and talking to one of our specialist medical negligence lawyers will help you to understand whether you have a claim and how to take the next step in the process. While you do have 3 years we recommend that where possible you start the process sooner rather than later. This not only means you will have access to the financial compensation sooner if successful but can give you the answers you may need to move forward. It’s often also easier to access paperwork to support your case and for you to recall details the closer the claim is made to the experience.

What causes testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is caused when cells in the testicles begin to act abnormally and uncontrollably multiply. These cells can then become cancerous. However, the exact causes of what leads to the abnormal cells are unclear. Despite this, research has linked some risk factors to an increased chance of the disease developing.

Causes of testicular cancer include:

• Cryptorchidism – The leading cause of testicular cancer that is currently known is cryptorchidism or undescended testicles. This is where, in the womb, the testicles develop in a male baby’s abdomen. This condition can increase the risk of getting testicular cancer by 3 times.
• Abnormal cells – Sometimes abnormal cells that are not cancerous can be present in the testicles. These usually have no symptoms and develop into cancer in around half of the men who have them.
• Fertility problems – Researchers are unsure why fertility problems can increase the risk of testicular cancer but studies suggest there is a link.
• Previous testicular cancer – If you have already been treated for testicular cancer you should have follow up appointments. This is because you are around 12 times more likely to develop cancer in the other testicle of you have already had the disease.
• Family history – One of the testicular cancer causes are changes in certain genes and research indicates that men who have close family members who have been diagnosed with the disease are at a greater risk.

There are other risk factors too, including injury to the testicles, being born with hypospadias, having HIV or AIDS, or having an inguinal hernia.

Other, less common, testicular cancer signs include:

• A dull ache or sharp pain in the testicles or scrotum, which may come and go
• Feeling of heaviness in your scrotum
• Change in the texture or increase in firmness of a testicle
• Difference between one testicle and the other

• Scrotal ultrasound

One test for testicular cancer is a scrotal ultrasound. The painless test is used to differentiate between lumps that are cancerous and those that are benign, with lumps that are solid, rather than filled with fluid, more likely to be cancerous.

• Blood test for testicular cancer

There are certain hormones in the blood which may indicate whether or not testicular cancer is present. Having alpha feta protein (AFP) or human chorionic gonadotrophon (HCG) in the blood can indicate that further testing is needed, although not all of those suffering from testicular cancer will produce these ‘markers’.

• Histology

Other types of cancer are often diagnosed with a biopsy, where some cells are removed and examined. However, this isn’t possible for testicular cancer as it may injure the testicle and cause cancer to spread. If a specialist is relatively certain of a diagnosis of testicular cancer they will recommend histology as a result. This is where the affected testicle is removed completely before being examined under a microscope, a process that is known as histology.

• Testicular cancer misdiagnosed as hydrocele

Hydrocele is a harmless condition where fluid collects in the scrotum. Doctors should ensure that lumps in testicles are referred for further testing to rule out cancer but if this isn’t done it can lead to testicular cancer being dismissed as hydrocele.

• Testicular cancer misdiagnosed as a cyst

A cyst is a sac filled fluid and when it occurs in the scrotum it can appear as a lump similar to the symptoms of testicular cancer. However, a doctor should still order further tests to rule out the lump being cancerous and an ultrasound should highlight whether the lump is a fluid filled cyst or a solid cancerous lump.

• Testicular cancer misdiagnosed as epididymitis

Epididyitis is when the tube at the back of the testicle becomes inflamed. It can become swollen, similar to testicular cancer, but it can also be painful. The condition is often the result of an infection and antibiotics may be used to treat it. If testicular cancer has wrongly been diagnosed as epididymitis, the mistake should become apparent when the course of medication doesn’t work.

• Surgery for testicular cancer

In all cases of testicular cancer, the first treatment option is to remove the affected testicle in an operation called an orchidectomy. This is because only removing the tumour can lead to cancer spreading and the surgery shouldn’t affect the ability to father children. In some cases, surgery may be the only step needed in treating testicular cancer but in others, it will be done in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

• Chemotherapy testicular cancer

One of the testicular cancer treatment options is chemotherapy, it’s often used after surgery to cut the risk of cancer returning by killing any cancerous cells that remain.

• Radiotherapy testicular cancer

Like chemotherapy, radiotherapy is often used alongside surgery to reduce the risk of cancer affecting the remaining testicle.

There are also rare testicular cancer types but only a few men are diagnosed with these cancers in the UK every year.  This includes cancer that affects the lymphatic system and mesothelioma, which is more common in the chest or abdomen but may occasionally start in the testicle.

Testicular cancer statistics show that 99% of men diagnosed with testicular cancer will survive their diagnosis by a year or more, while 98% survive their disease for more than a decade. Testicular cancer advancements mean that almost all men that are diagnosed today will live for years after their diagnosis, a significant improvement when compared to the 70s, when just 69% lived for 10 years or more after diagnosis.

While the survival rate of testicular cancer is generally good there are some factors that play a role. Younger men are more likely to survive testicular cancer for more than five years, with the figure gradually decreasing with age. Those that are not diagnosed to the final stage are also at greater risk, however, the 5-year survival rate is still good at 81%, but it’s worth noting that the majority of patients at diagnosed at stage 1.