By Ashima Sharda Mahindra
Copyright timesnownews
While it may sound bizarre or even funny, any man taking a pregnancy test who comes up negative is what is usually thought. A pregnancy test, which detects human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG—a hormone typically produced during pregnancy—is taken by women to find out the result. And since men do not get pregnant, they have no reason to take it. So why would the test ever show positive? A new study has found that in rare cases, elevated levels of hCG in men can be a warning sign of serious health issues, including deadly cancer. The study, published in the journal Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons in England, writes about how urinary hCG can diagnose testicular cancer while you may be waiting for confirmatory blood tests. While it may not be conclusive, the tests can alert doctors about tumours. Why does the test show positive in men with testicular cancer? According to researchers, a germ cell tumour secretes hCG, which shows up in urine and triggers a positive home pregnancy test. The study has highlighted that urinary pregnancy testing gives early clues for the cancer that begins in the testicles, most often in the form of a painless lump or swelling, and is one of the most curable forms of cancer, but when caught early. Other rare causes of elevated hCG include liver, stomach, or lung tumours, certain medications that affect hormone levels; and lab errors or contamination. What are the downsides of using a pregnancy kit for tumours? Even though it is possible to detect hCG levels related to testicular cancer, there are a few drawbacks to know about when using this testing method. Doctors say if the result is negative, it does not mean you do not have testicular cancer. It happens because not all testicular cancers are expected to produce elevated levels of hCG or other cancer markers. A negative home pregnancy test can only provide a false sense of security, delaying diagnosis and treatment. Also, if the test is positive, it is better to go for further investigations before coming to any conclusions, as many things can interfere with home pregnancy tests. A few include: High levels of protein in the urine Blood in the urine Taking medications for seizures, anxiety, or methadone What is testicular cancer? Testicular cancer forms when malignant cells develop in the tissues of one or both testicles. According to experts, your testicles are two walnut-shaped sex glands that produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. They sit inside a sac of skin that lies below your penis, called the scrotum. Like any other cancer, testicular cancer is a serious condition, but it is curable if diagnosed early. Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer The most common sign of testicular cancer is a painless lump in your testicle. A few others may include: Swelling or sudden fluid build-up in your scrotum A lump or swelling in either testicle A feeling of heaviness in your scrotum Dull ache in your groin or lower abdomen Pain or discomfort in your scrotum or a testicle A shrinking testicle
