Medication
Nearly all of these cancers can be cured, but the treatment is different from that of seminomas. As with seminomas, the initial treatment is surgery to remove the testicle and tumor (called radical inguinal orchiectomy ). The other treatment choices will depend on the stage.
Procedures
Imaging tests (CT scans and sometimes chest x-rays) are done every 3 months for 6 months, and then once or twice a year. If these tests do not find any signs that cancer has spread beyond the testicle, no other treatment is needed. If the cancer has spread, treatments like radiation or chemo may be used.
Therapy
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.
Nutrition
After having a radical inguinal orchiectomy, an option for people with clinical stage I testicular cancer (seminoma or non-seminoma) may be surveillance. The advantage of surveillance is that patients may avoid additional treatment that may not be needed.
Is there a cure for testicular cancer?
How often should testicular cancer be checked?
How many cycles of chemotherapy are used for testicular cancer?
What are the treatment options for Stage I testicular cancer (seminoma)?
What is the treatment of choice for testicular cancers?
Surgery to remove the testicle and lymph nodes, with long-term follow-up. Surgery to remove the testicle and lymph nodes, followed by combination chemotherapy and long-term follow-up. Surgery to remove the testicle, followed by combination chemotherapy and a second surgery if cancer remains, with long-term follow-up.
What is the latest treatment for testicular cancer?
High-Dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant for Testicular Cancer.
What surgery is one treatment for testicular carcinoma?
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. During the surgery, the entire testicle and most of the spermatic cord are removed.
Can testicular cancer be treated at any stage?
Treatment for testicular cancer is based mainly on the type and stage of the cancer. Among the different stages of germ cell tumors, pure seminomas tend to be treated one way, and non-seminomas and mixed germ cell tumors are treated another way.
Is chemo needed for testicular cancer?
Chemo is often used to cure testicular cancer when it has spread outside the testicle. It's also used to help decrease the risk of cancer coming back after the testicle is removed. It's not used to treat cancer that's only in the testicle.
Does a urologist treat testicular cancer?
Urologists are surgeons who focus on the urinary tracts of males and females, and on the reproductive system of males, including problems with the testicles. For patients with testicular cancer, a urologist will perform the surgery to remove your tumor.
What does the term Orchiopexy mean?
Orchiopexy (or orchidopexy) is a surgery to move an undescended (cryptorchid) testicle into the scrotum and permanently fix it there. Orchiopexy typically also describes the surgery used to resolve testicular torsion. Urology 216.444.5600.
What is the name for testicular surgery?
What is orchiectomy? An orchiectomy (or orchidectomy) is a surgical procedure to remove one or both testicles. Testicles are two small organs that hang in a sac of skin (the scrotum) below the penis. Testicles (or testes) make sperm and male hormones, including testosterone.
What is orchidopexy operation?
Fast Facts About Orchidopexy Orchidopexy (OR-kid-o-pex-ee) is a surgery to move a testicle that has not descended or moved down to its proper place in the scrotum. If a testicle has not completely descended by about 8 months of age, it is unlikely to ever descend on its own and an orchidopexy is needed.
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.
What happens if you get testicular cancer?
Symptoms can be: A lump or swelling in the testicle is the most common symptom. Heaviness or aching in the lower belly or testicles. Voice changes and facial and body hair growth in a very young boy (early puberty)
What is the prognosis for testicular cancer?
The general 5-year survival rate for people with testicular cancer in the United States is 95%. This means that 95 out of every 100 people diagnosed with testicular cancer will live at least 5 years after diagnosis.
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...
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) ...
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 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.
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 is it called when cancer spreads to another part of the body?
When cancer spreads to another part of the body, it is called metastasis . Cancer cells break away from where they began (the primary tumor) and travel through the lymph system or blood.
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.
