Testicular cancer

Stage II nonseminoma tumors have a cure rate of over 95%. The treatment is usually surgery to remove the testis and lymph nodes in the abdomen, possibly followed by chemotherapy.

Stage III nonseminoma has a 70% cure rate. The treatment will probably be chemotherapy and surgical removal of the testis.

text continues below

If the cancer is a recurrence of a previous testicular cancer, the treatment usually consists of chemotherapy using combinations of different medications, such as ifosfamide, cisplatin, etoposide, or vinblastine, sometimes followed by an autologous bone marrow or peripheral stem-cell transplant.

Support Groups:

Joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems can often help the stress of illness. Your local branch of the American Cancer Society may have a support group.

Lance Armstrong, a famous cyclist, is a survivor of testicular cancer. He has a web site that offers support and information. A Federal Government web site from the National Cancer Institute offers information and services for cancer patients and their families.

Expectations (prognosis):

The survival rate for men with early stage seminoma (the least aggressive type of testicular cancer) is greater than 95%. The disease-free survival rate for Stage I non-seminomatous cancer is nearly 95%; for Stage II seminomas it is 70-90%, depending on the size of the tumor when treatment is begun; for Stage II non-seminomas it is greater than 95%; and for Stage III for both is usually about 70% curable.

This response to treatment means that testicular cancer is one of the most treatable cancers.

Complications:

Metastasis (spreading) to other parts of the body may occur with testicular cancer. The most common sites include the retroperitoneal area, the abdomen, the spine, and the lungs.

If both testicles are removed, the man becomes infertile (unable to have children) because no sperm cells will be produced. If surgery is done to remove lymph nodes, there can be damage to nerves that control ejaculation. This can also cause infertility as well as impotence. There is a newer type of surgery that has a better chance of preserving the nerves that maintain erection while still removing the lymph nodes.

Since testicular cancer affects men at the ages they may want to father children, nerve-sparing surgery and sperm banking (to save sperm and freeze it for use in artificial insemination) before any treatment should be discussed with the doctor.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if symptoms of testicular cancer occur.

Also call if you are a male over 15 years old who has not been taught testicular self-examination (TSE), or who has not had testicular screenings performed by your health care provider during routine physical examinations.