Treatment FAQ

what is treatment for testicular cancer

by Estelle Tillman Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the 3 main treatments for testicular cancer. Your recommended treatment plan will depend on: the type of testicular cancer you have – whether it's a seminoma
seminoma
A seminoma is a germ cell tumor of the testicle or, more rarely, the mediastinum or other extra-gonadal locations. It is a malignant neoplasm and is one of the most treatable and curable cancers, with a survival rate above 95% if discovered in early stages.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Seminoma
or a non-seminoma.

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

Surgery is the main treatment for testicular cancer. Most often, an orchiectomy is done to remove the entire testis. Depending on the diagnosis, other options may be offered. Changes in fertility should be discussed first. Orchiectomy is used to diagnose and treat both early-stage and later-stage testicular cancer. This surgery removes the entire testicle and mass through a small cut …

What is the life expectancy of someone with testicular cancer?

14 hours ago · Testicular cancer is treatable, even when cancer has spread beyond the testicle. If you've been diagnosed with testicular cancer, your treatment will be based on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, and your overall health and preferences. Treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

How to cure testicular cancer with natural remedies?

The most common type of treatment is the surgical removal of the testicle and cancer mass, known as an orchiectomy. This surgery is performed in both early and late-stage cases of testicular cancer.

What are the chances of me getting testicular cancer again?

Apr 18, 2022 · Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help. Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for patients with testicular cancer. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, please call 702-952-3350. The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis ...

How bad is testicular cancer?

With the use of a cisplatin-based chemotherapy, metastatic testicular cancer has become a model for a highly curable malignant disease. Current data show that 70% to 80% of patients with this disease will achieve long-term survival following cisplatin/etoposide/bleomycin therapy. The role of high-do …

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What is the most common treatment for testicular cancer?

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.High-Dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant for Testicular Cancer.

Is testicular cancer fully 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

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 is the survival rate 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.

What are 5 warning signs of testicular cancer?

Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include:A lump or enlargement in either testicle.A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum.A dull ache in the abdomen or groin.A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum.Pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum.Enlargement or tenderness of the breasts.Back pain.Apr 24, 2020

Do your balls hurt if you have testicular cancer?

Symptoms of testicular cancer may include: A painless lump or swelling on either testicle. If found early, a testicular tumor may be about the size of a pea or a marble, but it can grow much larger. Pain, discomfort, or numbness in a testicle or the scrotum, with or without swelling.

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

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.

What happens if testicular cancer goes untreated?

If it is not detected and treated, testicular cancer eventually can spread to the lungs, brain, liver, and other parts of the body. Certain types of testicular cancer are more likely to spread than others. Sometimes the cancer will have already spread at the initial time of diagnosis.

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.Nov 19, 2020

Is testicular cancer a death sentence?

Testicular cancer is a highly treatable cancer. The survival rates are one of the highest of all the cancers. It is a diagnosis and not a death sentence. The overall survival rate is greater than 95%.

What is the average age at the time of diagnosis of testicular cancer?

The average age at the time of diagnosis of testicular cancer is about 33. This is largely a disease of young and middle-aged men, but about 6% of cases occur in children and teens, and about 8% occur in men over the age of 55.Jan 12, 2022

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

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.

Why is communicating with your cancer team important?

Communicating with your cancer care team is important so you understand your diagnosis, what treatment is recommended, and ways to maintain or improve your quality of life. Different types of programs and support services may be helpful, and can be an important part of your care. These might include nursing or social work services, financial aid, ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

What is stage 3 cancer?

Stage III implies spread beyond the retroperitoneal nodes based on physical examination, imaging studies, and/or blood tests (i.e., patients with retroperitoneal adenopathy and highly elevated serum tumor markers are stage III). Stage III can be further stratified based on the location of metastasis and the degree of elevation of serum tumor markers. In the favorable group (IIIA), metastases are limited to lymph nodes and lung, and serum tumor markers are no more than mildly elevated. Stage IIIB patients have moderately elevated tumor markers, while stage IIIC patients have highly elevated markers and/or metastases to liver, bone, brain or some organ other than the lungs. These subclassifications of stage III correspond to the International Germ Cell Consensus Classification system for disseminated germ cell tumors. [ 2]

What is BEP chemotherapy?

Four cycles of bleomycin plus etoposide plus cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy as a standard-of-care treatment option for patients with metastatic testicular germ cell tumors was established by a randomized trial showing that it produced similar outcomes with fewer toxic effects in comparison with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin (PVB). [ 3] Two randomized trials comparing four courses of BEP with four courses of etoposide plus ifosfamide plus cisplatin (VIP) showed similar OS and time-to-treatment failure for the two regimens in patients with intermediate- and poor-risk advanced disseminated germ cell tumors who had not received prior chemotherapy. [ 4 - 6 ] [ Level of evidence: 1iiA] Hematologic toxic effects were substantially worse with the VIP regimen. For good-risk patients, two randomized trials compared three versus four cycles of BEP and reported no significant benefit from longer treatment in that population. [ 7 - 9]

What are the two prognostication models for testicular cancer?

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

What percentage of testicular tumors are seminomas?

[ 1] . Less than 50% of malignant testicular germ cell tumors have a single cell type, of which roughly 50% are seminomas.

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.

How many people fathered children after testicular cancer?

In two, large studies, roughly 70% of patients actually fathered children after treatment for testicular cancer. [ 33, 34] The likelihood of recovering fertility is related to the type of treatment received.

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 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.

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 does it mean when you have a high tumor marker?

Tumor markers are substances that occur normally in your blood, but the levels of these substances may be elevated in certain situations, including testicular cancer. A high level of a tumor marker in your blood doesn't mean you have cancer, but it may help your doctor in determining your diagnosis.

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.

Why is radiation used for testicular cancer?

It is used for seminoma-cell cancers, because some forms of non-seminoma are resistant to radiation. It may be an option if testicular cancer (either type) has spread to distant organs like the brain. There are a few radiation therapy types used.

What does a urologist look for in a cancer patient?

They will examine your scrotum, belly (abdomen), lymph nodes, and other parts to look for signs of cancer. They will look for lumps, firmness or signs of swelling. Tell them if you have a history of undescended testes.

How old is a man with testicular cancer?

Though it can affect a man or boy at any age, it is most often found in men age 15 to 44 years. It’s fairly rare and very treatable.

How much risk of testicular cancer coming back?

The risk of testicular cancer coming back depends on the stage at diagnosis, but it’s very small, at 5% or less. There is also a very small (about 2%) risk of cancer growing in the other testicle. Still, it is important to learn how to do a testicular self-exam.

What does it mean when your testicle hurts?

Pain or a dull ache in the testicle, scrotum or groin. Tenderness or changes in the male breast tissue. If you find any lump or firm part of the testicle, you should see a doctor to find out if it is a tumor. Very few men who have testicular cancer felt pain at first.

What is it called when you have a testicle that doesn't drop?

Men with a history of testes that don’t drop before birth (also known as undescended testes or cryptorchidism) Abnormal cells in the testicle called germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), most often found during an infertility test.

What is it called when a urologist finds cancer?

If your urologist finds cancer through these exams, he or she will want to learn the exact cancer cell-type and if it has spread. This is called “staging .” This process helps the doctor learn which treatments are best.

What is Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer occurs within the testicles, which are located inside the scrotum below the penis. The testicles (testes) produce the male hormones and sperm necessary for human reproduction.

Risk Factors and Symptoms

There are several factors that may increase the risk of developing testicular cancer. The most common age group affected by this disease is men between 15-35. However, testicular cancer can still occur at any age.

Diagnosis and Treatment

When diagnosing testicular cancer, a physician will first discuss a patient’s health history before performing an examination of the scrotum and testes to see if there are any lumps, firmness or signs of swelling.

Prevention and Self-Checking

While there is no current research that offers any concrete prevention tactics, it is important for men to regularly perform a self-exam at least once a month to ensure there are no signs of testicular cancer. A self-exam is best performed after getting out of a warm shower or bath, when the scrotum is relaxed.

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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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In some cases men discover testicular cancer themselves, either unintentionally or while doing a testicular self-examination to check for lumps. 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: 1. Ultrasound. A testicula…
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