Testicular Mesothelioma

Testicular mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of the mesothelium – two thin layers of tissue that surround most organs in the body. Testicular mesothelioma impacts the lining of the testicles. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer related to asbestos exposure. The prognosis for a patient with testicular mesothelioma is generally good.

If you have been diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma, contact The Williams Law Firm, P.C. right away for a free legal consultation. Our New York mesothelioma attorneys will help you understand your rights. The law may entitle you to financial compensation for your harmful exposure to asbestos.

What Is Testicular Mesothelioma?

Testicular mesothelioma is cancer of the tunica vaginalis, or the lining of the testicles. It is the rarest form of mesothelioma, accounting for less than 1% of all diagnoses and only about 300 reported cases. If a doctor diagnoses a patient with malignant testicular mesothelioma, it means the patient has terminal cancer. All malignant forms of mesothelioma are terminal, with no known cure. However, treatments are available for testicular mesothelioma and the prognosis, on average, is positive.

What Causes Testicular Mesothelioma?

Unlike other types of mesothelioma, the exact cause of testicular mesothelioma is not known. While scientists have established a connection to asbestos exposure, not all patients with testicular mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos. If testicular mesothelioma did arise due to asbestos exposure, it means the patient inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers that migrated to the testes and caused tissue irritation that eventually formed malignant tumors. The exact means of how patients get testicular mesothelioma, however, remains a mystery.

Testicular Mesothelioma Prognosis

The prognosis for a patient with testicular mesothelioma is better than other forms of this disease. In general, testicular mesothelioma is localized to the testes, meaning it has not metastasized to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. It is therefore easier to treat. Note, that like all forms of malignant mesothelioma, most cases of testicular mesothelioma are terminal. There have been documented cases, however, of patients having benign testicular mesothelioma – a noncancerous tumor that is treatable and not fatal.

A patient diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma has an average survival rate of 20 to 23 months, although longer survival rates are possible with treatments. Other forms of mesothelioma, by contrast, have an average life expectancy of 12 to 21 months. Many different factors can affect a patient’s prognosis. These include age, gender, the stage of the disease, the type of cancer cells and the effectiveness of treatments. Even with treatment, there is a high risk of cancer recurrence with malignant testicular mesothelioma.

What Are the Symptoms of Testicular Mesothelioma?

Testicular mesothelioma generally causes fluid to build up in between the layers of the lining of the testes. Over time, this fluid buildup (hydrocele) can cause swelling of the testicle. A patient may notice a lump or mass on the testicle, as well as pain in one or both testes. If the testicular mesothelioma tumor is secondary, meaning it has spread from elsewhere in the body, the patient may also exhibit other symptoms, such as abdominal pain. The symptoms associated with testicular mesothelioma will depend on the case and patient.

Testicle irregularity
Swelling of one or both testicles
Fluid buildup
A scrotal lump or mass
Pain in the testes or groin
Abdominal pain
Abdominal swelling

If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away. Be sure to mention if you recall being exposed to asbestos at any point in the past, even if it was decades ago. Exposure to asbestos generally takes 10 to 70 years to develop into cancerous tumors. Your doctor will conduct several tests and imaging scans to diagnose testicular mesothelioma.

How Is Testicular Mesothelioma Diagnosed?

It can be difficult to diagnose testicular mesothelioma due to the rarity of this disease. Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose are common, with the most frequent misdiagnosis being a hernia. The most common symptom that leads to a testicular mesothelioma diagnosis is a lump on one of the testicles. First, the doctor may diagnose it as an inguinal hernia, in which part of the intestines bulges through a weak part in the abdominal wall and protrudes through the testicle. Typically, a doctor will rule out a hernia through different types of tests.

Physical exam
CT scan
X-ray
Ultrasound
Blood test
Fluid or tissue biopsy

The doctor will first use imaging scans to find any tumors, as well as gauge whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Next, the doctor will obtain a biopsy of the tumor to narrow down the diagnosis. A biopsy can determine if the cancer cells are mesothelioma or a different type of disease. In many cases, a doctor will remove the tumor completely before officially diagnosing the patient with testicular mesothelioma.

Testicular Mesothelioma Stages

Upon diagnosing a patient with testicular mesothelioma, a doctor will attempt to identify the stage of the disease based on whether it has spread to other parts of the body. Determining the stage of the cancer is important for the patient’s prognosis and treatment options. A doctor will use a general stage scale, as this type of cancer is so rare that doctors have not developed a specific staging system.

There are four stages of testicular mesothelioma. Stages 1 and 2 are on the lower end, meaning the cancer is localized to the testicle and has not spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Stages 1 and 2 have the best prognoses for the patient. Stages 3 and 4 are on the higher end, with a worse prognosis for the patient. Stages 3 and 4 mean the cancer has metastasized to other organs and is more advanced and difficult to treat. A patient’s prognosis will worsen with more advanced stages of testicular mesothelioma.

Testicular Mesothelioma Treatment

Mesothelioma treatment, including that for malignant testicular mesothelioma, typically intends to improve the patient’s quality of life and prolong lifespan. Most doctors use a multimodal approach, meaning a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and other types of radiation therapies. First, a surgeon may perform a radical inguinal orchiectomy, meaning the removal of one or both testicles as well as the spermatic cord. A less aggressive surgery may also be an option for some patients. Then, the doctor will follow up with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. Testicular mesothelioma treatments have been proven to improve a patient’s prognosis and life expectancy.

Contact a Testicular Mesothelioma Attorney Today

If you were diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma or a loved one died from this disease, the person or company responsible for asbestos exposure may owe you compensation. We can help you understand and protect your rights as a plaintiff. Speak to an attorney from The Williams Law Firm, P.C. to discuss your legal options. Contact us today.