Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for testicular cancer

by Fanny Marquardt Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Depending on the type and stage of the cancer, as well as other factors, treatment options for testicular cancer can include: Surgery for Testicular Cancer. Radiation Therapy for Testicular Cancer. Chemotherapy for Testicular Cancer.

Medication

The treatment of testicular cancer that has come back after chemo is not always as effective as doctors would like, so some doctors may advise high-dose chemo followed by a stem cell transplant. This may be a better option for some men with …

Procedures

Dec 16, 2021 · Testicular cancer treatment options depend upon tumor characteristics and include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and observation. Learn more about the treatment of newly diagnosed and recurrent testicular cancer in this expert-reviewed summary.

Therapy

Feb 11, 2022 · Radical inguinal orchiectomy with initial high ligation of the spermatic cord is the procedure of choice in diagnosing and treating a malignant testicular mass. [ 19] As noted above, serum AFP, LDH, and beta-hCG should be measured before an orchiectomy.

Nutrition

Treatment by stage for testicular cancer In Stage I, the treatment is usually surgery to remove the testicle. For stage I seminomas, the standard treatment is observation, one or two doses of carboplatin chemotherapy (given 21days apart if giving two doses), or radiation to the lymph nodes in the abdomen.

What is the life expectancy of someone with testicular cancer?

If you or a loved one has testicular cancer, you should know it’s very often curable. Treatment almost always involves surgery to remove a testicle. You can follow up with radiation or chemotherapy...

How to cure testicular cancer with natural remedies?

What are the chances of me getting testicular cancer again?

How bad is testicular cancer?

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What is the best treatment for testicular cancer?

The first treatment for testicular cancer is usually surgery to remove the testicle. Rarely, chemotherapy is given first if the cancer has already spread beyond the testicle when diagnosed. After surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be recommended.

Is testicular cancer curable?

Testicular cancer is very curable. While a cancer diagnosis is always serious, the good news about testicular cancer is that it is treated successfully in 95% of cases. If treated early, the cure rate rises to 98%.Apr 9, 2019

How do you get rid of testicular cancer?

Surgery to remove a testicle with cancer is called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. An incision (cut) is made just above the pubic area, and the testicle is gently removed from the scrotum through the opening. The surgeon then removes the entire tumor along with the testicle and spermatic cord.

Can testicular cancer be treated without removal?

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.Sep 4, 2019

What are 5 warning signs of testicular cancer?

Testicular Cancer: Symptoms and SignsA painless lump or swelling on either testicle. ... Pain, discomfort, or numbness in a testicle or the scrotum, with or without swelling.Change in the way a testicle feels or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. ... Dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin.More items...

Does testicular cancer spread fast?

There are two main types of testicular cancer – seminomas and nonseminomas. Seminomas tend to grow and spread more slowly than nonseminomas, which are more common, accounting for roughly 60 percent of all testicular cancers. How quickly a cancer spreads will vary from patient to patient.

How long is recovery from testicular cancer surgery?

You will be able to go home after about 7 to 10 days. It can take a few weeks for the wound to fully heal. And you will need to avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks.

How long do you live after testicular cancer?

The general 5-year survival rate for men with testicular cancer is 95%. This means that 95 men out of every 100 men diagnosed with testicular cancer will live at least 5 years after diagnosis. The survival rate is higher for people diagnosed with early-stage cancer and lower for those with later-stage cancer.

Is removing a testicle painful?

There are several things you should be aware of following orchiectomy, the medical term for surgery to remove a testis. Most men will have discomfort requiring pain medicine for 1-2 weeks. After this time, the pain usually diminishes considerably, although there may be certain times of day when discomfort is worse.

Do you always lose a testicle with testicular cancer?

About 95% of men will survive more than 5 years after it's found. For almost all stages and types of testicular cancer, the testicle is removed. You might hear a doctor call this a radical inguinal orchiectomy.Jul 20, 2020

Is testicular cancer painful?

Testicular cancer is not usually painful. But the first symptom for some men is a sharp pain in the testicle or scrotum.

Is testicular cancer surgery painful?

Your Recovery Orchiectomy (say "or-kee-EK-tuh-mee") is surgery to remove one or both testicles. This is mainly done to treat testicular cancer or advanced prostate cancer. You can expect to feel better each day. But you may have some mild to moderate pain for several days after surgery.

Carcinoma in Situ (Stage 0) Testicular Tumors

In this stage, the cancer has not spread outside the testicle, and your tumor marker levels (like HCG and AFP) are not elevated. If CIS is diagnose...

Stage III Seminomas and Non-Seminomas

Even though stage III tumors have spread by the time they are found, most of them can still be cured.Both stage III seminomas and non-seminomas are...

Recurrent Testicular Cancer

If the cancer goes away with treatment and then comes back, it's said to have recurred or relapsed. If this happens, it’s usually within the first...

Sertoli Cell and Leydig Cell Tumors

Typically, radical inguinal orchiectomy is the treatment for Sertoli cell and Leydig cell tumors. Radiation therapy and chemo generally don't work...

More Treatment Information For Testicular Cancer

For more details on treatment options – including some that may not be addressed here – the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the Na...

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 a radiation oncologist?

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, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, nutrition specialists, social workers, ...

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.

What is complementary medicine?

Complementary methods refer to treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctor’s medical treatment.

Is it a good idea to seek a second opinion?

If time permits, it is often a good idea to seek a second opinion. A second opinion can give you more information and help you feel more confident about the treatment plan you choose. Where you're treated is important. There's no substitute for experience.

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 is the process used to find out if cancer has spread within the testicles or to other parts of the

The process used to find out if cancer has spread within the testicles or to other parts of the body is called staging. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. It is important to know the stage in order to plan treatment.

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.

How does chemo work?

When chemotherapy is taken by mouth or injected into a vein or muscle, the drugs enter the bloodstream and can reach cancer cells throughout the body ( systemic chemotherapy ). When chemotherapy is placed directly into the cerebrospinal fluid, an organ, or a body cavity such as the abdomen, the drugs mainly affect cancer cells in those areas ( regional chemotherapy ). The way the chemotherapy is given depends on the type and stage of the cancer being treated.

Where do germ cells come from?

Germ cells within the testicles produce immature sperm that travel through a network of tubules (tiny tubes) and larger tubes into the epididymis (a long coiled tube next to the testicles) where the sperm mature and are stored. Almost all testicular cancers start in the germ cells.

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).

How long after chemotherapy can you get a PET scan?

Surveillance for tumors smaller than 3 centimeters and surgery to remove tumors larger than 3 centimeters. A PET scan two months after chemotherapy and surgery to remove tumors that show up with cancer on the scan. A clinical trial of chemotherapy.

What are the two prognostication models for testicular cancer?

There are two major prognostication models for testicular cancer: staging,

What is stage 2 testicular cancer?

Stage II testicular cancer involves the testis and the retroperitoneal or peri-aortic lymph nodes usually in the region of the kidney. Retroperitoneal involvement should be further characterized by the number of nodes involved and the size of involved nodes. The risk of recurrence is increased if more than five nodes are involved or if the size of one or more involved nodes is more than 2 cm. Bulky stage II disease (stage IIC) describes patients with extensive retroperitoneal nodes (>5 cm), which portends a less favorable prognosis.

What is an undescended testis?

An undescended testis (cryptorchidism). A family history of testis cancer (particularly in a father or brother). A personal history of testis cancer. Surgical correction of an undescended testis (orchiopexy) before puberty appears to lower the risk of testis cancer, but this isn't certain.

How many people will die from testicular cancer in 2021?

Incidence and Mortality. Estimated new cases and deaths from testicular cancer in the United States in 2021: [ 1] New cases: 9,470. Deaths: 440. Testicular cancer is a highly treatable, usually curable, cancer that most often develops in young and middle-aged men. Most testicular cancers are germ cell tumors.

Is testicular cancer a seminoma?

Testicular cancer is broadly divided into seminoma and nonseminoma for treatment planning because seminomatous types of testicular cancer are more sensitive to radiation therapy and chemotherapy and are less prone to distant metastases.

What is retroperitoneal lymph node?

Evaluation of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes, usually by CT scanning, is an important aspect of staging and treatment planning in adults with testicular cancer. [ 21, 22] Patients with a negative result have a substantial chance of having microscopic involvement of the lymph nodes. Nearly 20% of seminoma patients and 30% of nonseminoma patients with normal CT scans and serum tumor markers will subsequently relapse if not given additional treatment after orchiectomy. [ 23 - 25] For nonseminoma patients, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) increases the accuracy of staging but as many as 10% of men with normal imaging, normal tumor markers, and benign pathology at RPLND will still go on to relapse. [ 26] About 25% of patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular cancer will be upstaged to pathologic stage II with RPLND, and about 25% of clinical stage II patients will be downstaged to pathologic stage I with RPLND. [ 26 - 28] In prepubertal children, the use of serial measurements of AFP has proven sufficient for monitoring response after initial orchiectomy. Lymphangiography and para-aortic lymph node dissection do not appear to be useful or necessary in the proper staging and management of testicular cancer in prepubertal boys. [ 29] (Refer to the PDQ summary on Childhood Testicular Cancer Treatment for more information.)

Can you resected a tumor after chemotherapy?

In patients who have residual masses following chemotherapy, all such masses should be resected if technically feasible. If some, but not all, residual masses can be resected, surgery is not usually performed. The rationale for surgery in this setting is that about half of the masses will contain viable tumor, either teratoma or cancer.

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).

What tests are done to determine if you have testicular cancer?

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. After these tests, your testicular cancer is assigned a stage. The stage helps determine what treatments are best for you.

How to prepare for cancer treatment?

Good places to start include the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society. Take care of yourself. Make healthy choices in your everyday life to prepare for cancer treatment. Eat a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables.

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.

Is a seminoma a nonseminoma?

Seminoma tumors occur in all age groups, but if an older man develops testicular cancer, it is more likely to be seminoma. Seminomas, in general, aren't as aggressive as nonseminomas. Nonsemi noma. Nonseminoma tumors tend to develop earlier in life and grow and spread rapidly.

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.

Can chemotherapy cause infertility?

There are medications and treatments available that reduce some of the side effects of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may also lead to infertility in some men, which can be permanent in some cases.

What is the treatment for testicular cancer?

The three main kinds of treatment for testicular cancer are: Surgical treatment: This treatment can include removing the testicle (orchiectomy) and removing associated lymph nodes (lymph-node dissection).

What tests can be done to diagnose testicular cancer?

Tests to help diagnose testicular cancer can include: Ultrasound: This is a procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to form pictures of body tissues. A physical exam and history: A physical exam and medical history can help the doctor look for problems that might be related to testicular cancer.

What age is testicular cancer most common?

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men between ages 20 and 35. Researchers aren’t sure what causes testicular cancer. When testicular cancer is detected and treated early, the cure rate is extremely high.

How do you know if you have testicular cancer?

Consult a doctor if you have any of these symptoms: Swelling or a sudden gathering of fluid in the scrotum. Feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. A lump or swelling in either testicle. Build-up of fluid on the scro tum.

What percentage of testicular cancers are seminomas?

Between 30 percent and 40 percent of testicular cancers are seminomas. Non-seminoma evolves from more mature germ cells. These tend to be more aggressive tumors. There are also testicular cancers that are a blend of both seminoma and non-seminoma.

How good is the prognosis for testicular cancer?

The prognosis is good for most men with testicular cancer. This form of cancer is treated successfully in more than 95 percent of cases. Even men with unfavorable risk factors have, on average, a 50 percent chance of being cured.

Does infertility cause testicular cancer?

Infertility: Men who are infertile have a higher likelihood of developing testicular cancer. Some of the same factors that result in infertility may also be related to the development of testicular cancer but there is not a good understanding of the connection. ###.

How to deal with testicular cancer?

Many boys and men find that professional counseling or support groups can help them handle the emotions that come with testicular cancer. If you notice that you’re feeling depressed or anxious, talk to your doctor or a social worker about professionals you can meet with in your area. Pagination. 1. 2.

How do you treat cancer?

There are two types of this treatment: 1 External therapy uses a machine that aims the radiation directly at the cancer to kill it. 2 Internal therapy involves a radioactive substance in needles, wires or thin, flexible tubes called catheters. It is placed into the cancer cells or near them.

What is the treatment for seminoma?

Radiation Therapy. This uses X-rays or other high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. People who have the type of testicular cancer known as seminoma often get this. Sometimes, the lymph nodes at the back of the abdomen are radiated to kill any tumor cells that may have spread to them.

Where do stem cells come from?

Instead, they come from your own marrow, which is inside your bones, or from your blood. In some cases, another person donates some of their blood or marrow.

How long does chemo last?

You might get several rounds of treatment that last for 3 or 4 weeks each, and you would take breaks in between them. Side effects of chemo often include: Nausea. Hair loss. Loss of energy.

Can radiation affect sperm count?

Doctors try to protect your remaining testicle from radiation, which can affect your sperm count. You are more likely to be infertile if you have this treatment. If you want to have children in the future, you should ask your doctor about saving some of your sperm before you start. Chemotherapy.

Can testicular cancer be curable?

Cancer can happen in many parts in the body, and that includes sexual organs. If you or a loved one has testicular cancer, you should know it’s very often curable. Treatment almost always involves surgery to remove a testicle. You can follow up with radiation or chemotherapy if the doctor finds the cancer has spread.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Clinical Trials

Coping and Support

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment options include radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery.
Medication

Chemotherapy: Therapy where the drugs are used to kill cells that are growing or multiplying too quickly.

Carboplatin . Cisplatin . Vinblastine . Paclitaxel . Bleomycin

Procedures

Inguinal orchiectomy: It is the procedure which involves the surgical removal of the testes.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection: Procedure which involves the surgical removal of lymph nodes situated at the back of the abdomen.

Therapy

Hormone therapy:To stabilize the body processes by regulating the activity of the organs.

Radiation therapy:Treatment method that uses X-rays and other high energy rays to kill abnormal cells.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Basils have monoterpenes that are antioxidant
  • Berries, apples, and onions have flavonoids that are antioxidants
  • Green tea has polyphenols that have anti-cancer properties
  • Vegetables like broccoli and cabbage have antioxidant activity.

Foods to avoid:

  • Deep fried and grilled meat
  • High salt intake
  • Red meat such as bacon
  • Alcohol intake

Specialist to consult

Oncologist
Specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Preparing For Your Appointment

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