Denial and oncological pathology: Case report of a massive testicular cancer

The cancer of testicles represents 1% of male neoplasms and 5% of urological malignant neoplasm. Its incidence has been growing in Western societies. Cancer of testicles usually presents as an increase of consistence in one testicles and absence of pain, as a casual ultrasound scan finding, or it could be highlighted by a scrotal injury. The surgical treatment is either radical orchiectomy or radical orchiectomy plus retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

The case presented concerns a 48-year-old male with a history of left testicular trauma and subsequent hypotrophy. Over the next 4 years, the patient developed a testicle size increase up to 15 cm in diameter. At diagnosis, he had retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. The patient was, after surgery, referred to the oncology department.

The awareness of the male population respect to testicular cancer and its screening methods (e.g. self-examination) is essential to make the diagnosis at an early stage. It is also essential to psychologically support patients undergoing surgical and/or pharmacological therapy due to risk of determining anxiety or depression compared to the whole population.