Medication
This cancer is often curable through proper treatment. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. If you have been diagnosed with testicular cancer, learn how to treat the stage of the cancer that is affecting you. Have the tumor surgically removed.
Procedures
and awareness is as important as treatment. “Testicular cancer tends to target younger people, and those are the people who don’t want to go to the doctor and get checked up. I guess this ...
Therapy
What Testicular Cancer Statistics Say
- The Stage-Wise Growth of Testicular Cancer. ...
- Chances of Survival Are Higher in Less Invasive Seminoma Cancer. ...
- Seminoma Cancers Are Mostly Confined to the Testes and Are Curable. ...
- Early Detection of Testicular Cancer Holds the Key to Survival. ...
Nutrition
Stage 4 doesn't necessarily mean terminal. If the cancer can be removed with successful margins then a cure could be likely. Also if it can't be completely removed, some people can live with a Stage 4 diagnosis for many years with different treatments. Sorry for rambling on I hope it has made sense.
Can you cure testicular cancer?
What specialists treat testicular cancer?
How treatable is testicular cancer?
Is Stage 4 testicular cancer curable?
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What is the latest treatment for testicular cancer?
High-Dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant for Testicular Cancer.
Can testicular cancer be treated without removing the testicle?
If there's a high suspicion that the cancer might be a testicular choriocarcinoma, chemo may be started without a biopsy or surgery to remove the testicle. If the cancer has spread to the brain, surgery (if there are only 1 or 2 tumors in the brain), radiation therapy aimed at the brain, or both may also be used.
Is testicular cancer easily treated?
Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when cancer has spread beyond the testicle. Depending on the type and stage of testicular cancer, you may receive one of several treatments, or a combination.
What are 5 warning signs of testicular cancer?
You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:Swelling, pain or discomfort in the scrotum.A lump or swelling in either testicle, usually painless.Pain or discomfort in a testicle.A change in how a testicle feels.A dull ache or heaviness in your lower abdomen or groin.
How long can you live with testicular cancer without knowing it?
But other cancers can form and grow undetected for 10 years or more , as one study found, making diagnosis and treatment that much more difficult. When cancer originates in one or both testes, a man can go a long time without any obvious signs or symptoms.
Can you get an erection without testes?
Having one testicle removed need not diminish or reduce sex drive or erections. But because the testicles produce male hormones, men who have lost both of their testes may experience a reduction in sex drive and difficulty in getting and/or maintaining an erection.
Can you live a normal life after testicular cancer?
This is one of the most treatable cancers. About 95% of men will survive more than 5 years after it's diagnosed. That gives you plenty of room to think about your life after surgery.
Do you lose your hair with chemo for testicular cancer?
Another common side effect of chemotherapy is hair loss, which many of the men associated with cancer. After about three weeks of chemotherapy they lost all their body hair, including eyebrows.
How to treat testicular cancer?
Surgical methods have been refined, and doctors know more about the best ways to use chemotherapy and radiation to treat different types of testicular cancer. In some cases, more than one of type of treatment might be used.
What kind of doctor treats cancer?
You may have different types of doctors on your treatment team, depending on the stage of your cancer and your treatment options. These doctors may include: 1 A urologist: a surgeon who specializes in treating diseases of the urinary system and male reproductive system 2 A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy 3 A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines like chemotherapy
Why are clinical trials important?
Clinical trials are one way to get state-of-the art cancer treatment. In some cases they may be the only way to get access to newer treatments. They are also the best way for doctors to learn better methods to treat cancer. Still, they're not right for everyone.
What is the difference between a urologist and a radiation oncologist?
A urologist: a surgeon who specializes in treating diseases of the urinary system and male reproductive system. A radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy. A medical oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with medicines like chemotherapy. You might have many other specialists on your treatment team as well, ...
What is the number to call for cancer treatment?
Call our National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-227-2345 and speak with one of our trained specialists. Palliative Care. Find Support Programs and Services in Your Area.
Is treatment information given here official?
The treatment information given here is not official policy of the American Cancer Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor. Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting ...
What is the best way to check for cancer after a testicle is removed?
CT scans take a series of X-ray images of your abdomen, chest and pelvis. Your doctor uses CT scans to look for signs that cancer has spread. Blood tests . Blood tests to look for elevated tumor markers can help your doctor understand whether cancer likely remains in your body after your testicle is removed.
What are the stages of testicular cancer?
The stages of testicular cancer are indicated by Roman numerals that range from 0 to III, with the lowest stages indicating cancer that is limited to the area around the testicle. By stage III, the cancer is considered advanced and may have spread to other areas of the body, such as the lungs.
What kind of doctor treats testicular cancer?
If your doctor suspects you could have testicular cancer, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of the urinary tract and male reproductive system (urologist) or a doctor who specializes in treating cancer (oncologist).
How to tell if a lump is testicular cancer?
In other cases, your doctor may detect a lump during a routine physical exam. To determine whether a lump is testicular cancer, your doctor may recommend: Ultrasound. A testicular ultrasound test uses sound waves to create an image of the scrotum and testicles. During an ultrasound you lie on your back with your legs spread.
What is the procedure to remove testicle?
Operations used to treat testicular cancer include: Surgery to remove your testicle (radical inguinal orchiectomy) is the primary treatment for nearly all stages and types of testicular cancer.
What is the best treatment for lymph node removal?
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs travel throughout your body to kill cancer cells that may have migrated from the original tumor. Chemotherapy may be your only treatment, or it may be recommended before or after lymph node removal surgery.
What is the best way to kill cancer cells?
Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. During radiation therapy, you're positioned on a table and a large machine moves around you, aiming the energy beams at precise points on your body.
How to treat stage 2 testicular cancer?
Treatment of seminoma may include the following: When the tumor is 5 centimeters or smaller: Surgery to remove the testicle, followed by radiation therapy to lymph nodes in the abdomen and pelvis.
What is testicular cancer?
Key Points. Testicular cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of one or both testicles. Health history can affect the risk of testicular cancer. Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include swelling or discomfort in the scrotum. Tests that examine the testicles and blood are used to detect (find) ...
What are the risk factors for testicular cancer?
Risk factors for testicular cancer include: Having had an undescended testicle. Having had abnormal development of the testicles. Having a personal history of testicular cancer. Having a family history of testicular cancer (especially in a father or brother).
What is a tumor marker test?
Serum tumor marker test: A procedure in which a sample of blood is examined to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by organs, tissues, or tumor cells in the body. Certain substances are linked to specific types of cancer when found in increased levels in the blood.
What is the process of finding out if a cancerous cell has spread?
The process used to find out if cancer has spread within the testicles or to other parts of the body is called staging.
Why do we do clinical trials?
Clinical trials are done to find out if new cancer treatments are safe and effective or better than the standard treatment.
Can testicular cancer be cured?
Type of cancer. Size of the tumor. Number and size of retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Testicular cancer can usually be cured in patients who receive ad juvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy after their primary treatment .
How to treat testicular cancer?
Radical inguinal orchiectomy. Treatment of testicular cancer usually starts with surgery to remove the testicle with cancer, called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. This operation is done through an incision in the groin along the beltline.
What is standard of care for testicular cancer?
This section explains the types of treatments that are the standard of care for testicular cancer. “Standard of care” means the best treatments known. When making treatment plan decisions, you are encouraged to consider clinical trials as an option.
How many cycles of chemotherapy for testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer may be treated with 1 to 4 cycles of chemotherapy, depending on the stage of the cancer. During treatment, a patient may receive 1 drug at a time or a combination of different drugs given at the same time.
What is the name of the team that treats testicular cancer?
This is called a multidisciplinary team. For testicular cancer, this team includes a urologist and a medical oncologist . A medical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medication. Sometimes, patients may also see a radiation oncologist. A radiation oncologist is a doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. Cancer care teams include a variety of other health care professionals, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, counselors, dietitians, and others.
How long does chemo last?
A cycle of chemotherapy for testicular cancer typically lasts 3 weeks. Testicular cancer may be treated with 1 to 4 cycles of chemotherapy, depending on the stage of the cancer.
Where does cancer go after chemo?
After chemotherapy (see below), some cancer may still remain in the lungs, liver, or other organs or in the lymph nodes in the pelvis, chest, or neck. For people with non-seminomas, these tumors should also be removed if it is safe to do so. This may involve surgery in more than 1 part of the body.
What is a radiation oncologist?
A radiation oncologist is a doctor who specializes in giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. Cancer care teams include a variety of other health care professionals, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, oncology nurses, social workers, pharmacists, counselors, dietitians, and others.
Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer
Specific treatment for testicular cancer will be determined by your physician based on:
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
What is the first treatment for testicular cancer?
Surgery is the first treatment for testicular cancer. After surgery you might have one of the following or a combination of them: monitoring (surveillance) chemotherapy. radiotherapy.
What is the treatment for a seminoma?
After surgery for seminoma further treatment depends on the stage of the cancer. For stage 2A you might have radiotherapy or chemotherapy. For stage 2B you might have radiotherapy or chemotherapy. For stage 2C you usually have chemotherapy . Stage 2 non seminomas are treated with chemotherapy after removal of the testicle.
What is stage 1 cancer?
Stage 1. For very early cancer (stage 1) you have surgery to remove the whole testicle. After this your doctor monitors you regularly to see if the cancer comes back. This is called surveillance. You might have chemotherapy after surgery if your cancer has a high risk of coming back.
How many semen samples can you store before sperm banking?
The sperm is frozen and stored until you decide you want to use it. Your doctor will offer you the chance to store 2 or 3 semen samples (called sperm banking) before your treatment starts. Sperm banking and fertility.
Can you have chemo after a testicle is removed?
For stage 3 testicular cancer you usually have chemotherapy after your testicle is removed. After the chemotherapy, if you have seminoma, you won't need further treatment. Your doctor will monitor you regularly. After chemotherapy for a non seminoma cancer you might have surgery.
What is the treatment for testicular cancer?
[1] This cancer is often curable through proper treatment. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. If you have been diagnosed with testicular cancer, ...
How to determine the stage of testicular cancer?
The stage of the cancer refers to the severity of the cancer. The stage is determined from the examination of the tumor, where the cancer cells are studies in a lab.
What is stage 2 cancer?
Stage II cancer is when the cancer is in the testicle, scrotum, and spermatic cord, along with the lymph nodes in the abdomen. Stage II often is treated with radiation therapy. Sometimes, mild chemotherapy is also used.
How does chemotherapy work?
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment for testicular cancer that is generally injected directly into the vein with a needle. The injected drug travels through the body to get to the cancer cells. This treatment finds and kills cancer cells not attached to the tumor that are floating through your body. [11]
Why are biopsies for testicular cancer rare?
Biopsies for testicular cancer are rarely done because biopsies for this particular cancer increase the risk of the cancer spreading. If a tumor is detected via a clinical diagnosis, ultrasound, and blood tests, then the doctor will remove the tumor in a process called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. [2]
What is the best treatment for stage 2 cancer?
Get radiation therapy . Radiation therapy is a common cancer treatment for stage II cancer. During radiation therapy , high-powered x-rays and other radiation are used to stop the growth and kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy is most commonly used to destroy cancer cells in the lymph nodes.
What type of cancer is treated in a hospital?
When deciding where to undergo treatment, make sure you choose a place that actively treats testicular cancer. Some hospitals or treatment centers may specialize in other types of cancer, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, or colon cancer.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Coping and Support
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment