Precancerous condition of the testicle
A precancerous condition of the testicle is a change to testicular cells that makes them more likely to develop into cancer. The condition is not yet cancer. But if it is not treated, there is a chance that it will become testicular cancer.
Germ cell neoplasia in situ
There is one precancerous condition of the testicle – germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS). It is also called intratubular germ cell neoplasia, unclassified, or testicular intraepithelial neoplasia.
GCNIS is when germ cells in the seminiferous tubules change so they are no longer normal. The germ cells look like cancer cells, but they aren’t behaving like cancer cells yet. They are not growing into the surrounding tissues (they are non-invasive).
GCNIS can develop into any type of germ cell tumour. Although rare, it’s possible to have a germ cell tumour in one testicle and GCNIS in the other.
Risks
The following risks increase your chance of developing GCNIS:
- a personal history of testicular cancer
- an undescended testicle (cryptorchidism)
- a birth defect where the genitals do not look normal (called ambiguous genitalia)
- abnormal shrinking of the testicles (called testicular atrophy)
- infertility
Symptoms
GCNIS usually doesn’t cause any symptoms because a lump does not form. But it may cause fertility problems.
Diagnosis
GCNIS is usually found during surgery to remove one or both testicles (called a radical inguinal orchiectomy, or an orchiectomy). It can also be found when the doctor is looking for the cause of other problems.
GCNIS is diagnosed by a biopsy. A biopsy can be done as part of surgery to remove one or both testicles. (The surgery is called a radical inguinal orchiectomy, or an orchiectomy). A biopsy may also be done to find the reason for other problems, for example, if you’re having trouble getting someone pregnant.
Treatments
Treatment options for GCNIS include:
-
watchful waiting - an orchiectomy
- radiation therapy
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