Medication
The main operation is surgery to remove your testicle (orchidectomy). Your doctor might also recommend removing your lymph nodes at the back of your tummy (abdomen). The surgeon usually removes your testicle to diagnose the cancer. The operation is called an orchidectomy.
Procedures
Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Each man comes to terms with his testicular cancer and deals with the ensuing emotions in his own way. You may feel scared and unsure of your future after your diagnosis.
Therapy
The prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options depend on the following: Stage of the cancer (whether it is in or near the testicle or has spread to other places in the body, and blood levels of AFP, β-hCG, and LDH). Type of cancer. Size of the tumor. Number and size of retroperitoneal lymph nodes.
Nutrition
Additional chemotherapy may be given if the tumor tissue removed contains cancer cells that are growing or if follow-up tests show that cancer is progressing. Combination chemotherapy before surgery to remove the testicle, for cancer that has spread and is thought to be life-threatening.
What is the main operation for testicular cancer?
Why explore Mayo Clinic for testicular cancer?
What are the prognosis and treatment options for testicular cancer?
When do you need chemotherapy for testicular cancer?
What is the surgical treatment for 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.
What is the best treatment for testicular cancer?
The first treatment option for all cases of testicular cancer, whatever the stage, is to surgically remove the affected testicle (an orchidectomy). For stage 1 seminomas, after the testicle has been removed a single dose of chemotherapy may be given to help prevent the cancer returning.
Can testicular cancer be cured by surgery?
These cancers can be cured in nearly all patients. Surgery is done first to remove the testicle and spermatic cord (called a radical inguinal orchiectomy).
What is testicular operation?
Testicular surgery is a type of operation in which a congenital (from birth) or acquired testicular problem is surgically fixed. Usually, testicular surgery is a relatively short procedure that involves only one testicle.
How long is the operation to remove a testicle?
The operation normally takes about 30 minutes. The surgeon makes a cut in the groin and cuts the spermatic cord to remove the testicle. They might also remove nearby lymph nodes.
What is retroperitoneal surgery?
Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is a surgical procedure that removes lymph nodes from the abdomen. Lymph nodes are small structures that help filter the body and fight disease. They are a part of the immune system. Lymph nodes are located throughout the body.
Is testicle removal surgery painful?
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. Many men experience the greatest discomfort when sitting or at night. A dull ache or soreness is common for 6-8 weeks.
What type of cancer is testicular cancer?
The most common type of testis cancer is a germ cell tumor. There are two main types of GCT: seminoma and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT). Both seminoma and NSGCT occur at about the same rate, and men can have seminoma, NSGCT or a combination of both.
What happens if you remove 1 testicle?
Men who have one testicle removed usually don't experience sexual problems. The remaining testicle will produce enough testosterone to make up for the missing one. Erections and fertility also shouldn't be affected. If both testicles are removed, the man's body will no longer produce testosterone.
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.
Is orchiopexy a major surgery?
An orchiopexy is an outpatient procedure that takes place in the hospital and requires general anesthesia. Pediatric urologic surgeons at NYU Langone are experienced in performing this surgery in boys as young as 6 months old. During the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the groin or scrotum.
What is a Varicocelectomy?
Varicocelectomy is a surgery that removes swollen veins inside the scrotum, called varicoceles. There aren't any medications that treat or get rid of varicoceles, so your doctor may recommend surgery to remove them.
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 stage 0 testicular cancer?
Carcinoma in situ (stage 0) testicular tumors. In this stage, the cancer has not spread outside the testicle, and tumor marker levels (like HCG and AFP) are not elevated. If CIS is diagnosed after surgery removes the testicle, no other treatment is needed. If CIS is found after a testicular biopsy (such as for fertility problems), ...
How often do you have to watch for stage 2 seminoma?
The doctor will then watch closely (every 3 to 6 months) for any signs that the cancer has come back .
What is the treatment for stage 2 seminoma?
Stage IIA seminomas. Radiation: After surgery to remove the testicle (radical inguinal orchiectomy), one treatment option is radiation to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes. These are the lymph nodes at the back of the abdomen (belly). Usually stage II seminomas are given higher doses of radiation than stage I seminomas.
What is the procedure to remove lymph nodes?
If tumor marker levels are normal, there are 2 main options: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND): This is surgery to remove the lymph nodes at the back of the abdomen. If the lymph nodes that were removed contain cancer, chemo (typically for 2 cycles) might be given.
How many cycles of chemo for lymph nodes?
Chemotherapy: This is typically the preferred treatment. It is usually either 4 cycles of EP (etoposide and cisplatin) or 3 cycles of BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin). Radiation: This may be an option instead of chemo if the lymph nodes aren't enlarged from cancer spread.
How many cycles of etoposide and cisplatin for stage IIC seminoma?
Stage IIC seminomas. Treatment is typically chemotherapy with 4 cycles of EP (etoposide and cisplatin) or 3 or 4 cycles of BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin). Another option might be VIP (etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin) for 4 cycles. Radiation therapy is generally not used for stage IIC seminoma.
How to treat recurrent germ cell tumors?
Cancer that comes back in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes can be treated by surgery to remove the nodes (RPLND) if the recurrence is small and if the only surgical treatment given before was orchiectomy.
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 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 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 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 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.
What is the first treatment for testicular cancer?
Types of surgery. Removing the testicle is usually the first treatment for testicular cancer. Your surgeon usually removes the whole testicle. The operation is called an orchidectomy or orchiectomy. This is also used to diagnose the cancer.
What is it called when you have a testicle removed?
It is called a partial orchidectomy. Having a testicle removed might reduce your chances of fathering children. Talk to your doctor if having children is important. They might suggest sperm banking before having surgery. Find out what sperm banking is.
How long does it take to remove a testicle?
The operation normally takes about 30 minutes. The surgeon makes a cut in the groin and cuts the spermatic cord to remove the testicle. They might also remove nearby lymph nodes and a small gland called the seminal vesicle. The surgeon sends the removed testicle to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.
Can you remove testicular cancer from your lungs?
Removing secondary cancer in the lungs. If testicular cancer has spread to your lung you might have surgery to remove it. Your specialist may suggest this if: there is still a sign of cancer after chemotherapy. the cancer is thought to be resistant to chemotherapy.
Can testicular cancer spread to lymph nodes?
Cancer can spread to the lymph nodes and make them bigger (enlarge). In testicular cancer this happens to the lymph nodes in the tummy (abdomen). After chemotherapy or radiotherapy for non seminoma cancer you might have an operation. This is to remove any remaining large nodes in your tummy.
Chemotherapy for Testicular Cancer
Chemotherapy is usually used for those cases of testicular cancer that have spread beyond the testicle, that have a high risk of recurrence once a testicle has been removed, or in which surgery fails to remove all traces of disease.
Radiation Therapy for Testicular Cancer
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (radiation) to destroy the cancer cells. Testicular cancer is one of a handful of cancers that can be treated using internal radiation therapy. This approach involves placing a radioactive substance into the affected testicle so that the cancer cells can be directly engaged.
Stem Cell Transplantation for Testicular Cancer
This approach is used if testicular cancer recurs and aggressively multiplies. Stem cells (immature blood cells) are extracted from bone marrow or the blood and injected into the patient in an attempt to promote healthy blood cell growth. Transplantation is often done after chemotherapy since it tends to destroy blood-forming cells.
Prognosis for Testicular Cancer
Common classifications for testicular cancer prognoses are good, intermediate, and poor.
What are the two prognostication models for testicular cancer?
There are two major prognostication models for testicular cancer: staging,
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.
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 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.
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 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.
Is testicular cancer a germ cell tumor?
Most testicular cancers are germ cell tumors. For treatment planning, germ cell tumors are broadly divided into seminomas and nonseminomas because they have different prognostic and treatment algorithms. For patients with seminoma (all stages combined), the cure rate exceeds 90%.
Types of surgery for testicular cancer
The main operation is surgery to remove your testicle (orchidectomy). Your doctor might also recommend removing your lymph nodes at the back of your tummy (abdomen).
Removing a testicle (orchidectomy) for testicular cancer
The surgeon usually removes your testicle to diagnose the cancer. The operation is called an orchidectomy.
Removing lymph nodes for testicular cancer (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection)
You might need an operation to remove some lymph nodes from the back of your tummy. This operation is called a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.
On the day of your operation for testicular cancer
You have a general anaesthetic so you can't feel anything during the operation. This sends you into a deep sleep.
After surgery for testicular cancer
Your recovery time depends on what type of surgery you have. You can usually go home on the same day after surgery to remove your testicle.
Problems after surgery
Find out about the possible side effects of surgery for testicular cancer.
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