Tumors of the male genital organs

The word “tumor” always sounds scary. Fortunately, not all of the new growths are hazardous to life. All the tumor processes of the male sex organs may be divided into benign and malignant. Whereas the first bring a lot of discomforts but are safe for life, the latter are really dangerous. The statistics claim that non-malignant tumors are extremely rare in males younger than 40, yet their incidence grows with the age.

Non-cancerous tumors

The only process of abnormal division of cells in the genital system of men, which is considered safe for life, is benign prostatic hyperplasia. This ailment is characterized by an increase in size of the prostate gland. It affects 90% of men reaching the age of 80. However, the disease doesn’t occur in males before thirty.

Cancerous tumors of the male reproductive organs

The statistics concerning malignant processes in the genital system of males leaves much to be desired. Men’s genitals are most often affected by three kinds of cancer:

• Prostate cancer;
• Testicular cancer;
• Penile cancer.

Cancer of the prostate

92% of all the cancerous processes in the male genital organs fall on the prostate gland. It is the second leading type of cancer found in men. 30% of patients die within 5 years after the illness has been revealed in case it has affected the other organs too. Nevertheless, the detection of the prostate malignancy at early stages guarantees almost 100% positive 5-years-prognosis.

The bulk of males suffering from prostate cancer are older than 60. The ailment is uncommon in men under 40.

Testicular cancer

Based on the data of the National Cancer Institute, cancer of testicles is revealed in 0.5% of all new cases of the ailment. Unlike prostate cancers, malignant processes in the testicles predominantly affect men within the age of 25-35 years old.

If a man turns to the doctors in time, his chances for recovery reach more than 95%. Testicular cancer may show no symptoms in the early stages. But how can you know that there’s something wrong? To keep control of the situation and turn to a specialist in time, every man has to make a self-check at least once a month.

Penile cancer

In the USA, only 1% of cancers revealed in males fall on penile cancer. The appearance of the ailment is strongly linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). According to the statistics, 63% of all the patients suffering penile cancer have HPV.

An average five-year-survival rate for this type of the malady is 81% in case it was timely detected and cured.