Written By: Pavitra Sampath | Updated : June 10, 2014 6:03 PM IST
Ace cricketer Yuvraj Singh's battle with cancer has been the highlight of 2012. The Cricket star known for his flamboyance and his legendary six sixes on the pitch was diagnosed with a malignant tumor between his lung and heart known as a Seminoma.
Seminoma: what does it mean?
This tumor is usually found in the reproductive organs of men. Theincidence of this tumour outside the testicles is extremely rare and forms less than 1 per cent of cancers on the whole. Itis a germ cell tumor of the testis or, more rarely, the mediastinum or other extra-gonadal regions. It has the distinction of being one of the most treatable and curable cancers, with a survival rate of about 95%. Usually malignant in nature it originates from the germinal epithelium of the seminiferrous tubules (the tubes that connect the testis to the penis). Treatment usually requires removal of one testis, but this does not affect fertility or other sexual functioning.
In Yuvraj's case, it was located in the superior mediastinal region (the upper area between his lungs, just above the heart). Dr Anupama Hooda, director of the oncology department at MAX hospital, Delhi, said that in Yuvraj's case there was a 95 per cent chance of cure with therapy, and the chances of recurrence were almost nil.
Treatment:
Yuvraj Sigh chose to be treated in the US at the Cancer Research Institute in Boston, USA as well as Medicine Facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received three rounds of chemotherapy after which he was discharged. He was welcomed back to India with open arms by his fans and fellow cricketers alike..
He is back in form with an awesome 72 runs against Pakistan recently and also went on to win the 'Man of the Match' award. Yuvraj Singh has now taken the onus of encouraging people suffering from cancer to fight back.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Also read: War on Cancer
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