Question

A 22-year-old male comes to the office for a physical before he graduates from college. He wants to know which cancer is most common in males in his age range.

Answer 1

Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in males aged 20 to 39 years, with treatment usually involving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. It is identified through signs like swelling or lumps in the testicles and is particularly more common in males of European descent.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most common form of cancer in males in the 20 to 39 age range is testicular cancer, or cancer of the testes. While cancer is generally more common in adults over the age of 50, with prostate cancer being the most common in adult males, and breast cancer in adult females, testicular cancer is notably more prevalent in younger males. Signs of testicular cancer include lumps, swelling in the testicles, fluid accumulation in the scrotum, and pain or tenderness. It is particularly more common among males of European descent. As for its treatability, testicular cancer is considered to be highly treatable, especially if detected early. Treatment options typically involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

It's important to note that while basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, is the most common cancer overall, testicular cancer is specifically the most common among younger men. Unlike some prostate cancers, where treatment might not be necessary due to slow growth, treatment for testicular cancer is generally pursued aggressively due to the age of the patients and the potential for cure.