kidney and urinary tract disorders
Testicular Cancer
Treatment of Testicular Cancer
Surgery The initial treatment for testicular cancer is surgical removal of the entire affected testis (radical orchiectomy). An artificial testis (prosthesis) can be placed if the man desires. The other testis is not removed, so men retain adequate levels of male hormones and can remain fertile. Infertility sometimes occurs in men with testicular cancer, but fertility may return after treatment. Sperm banking may be recommended before treatment. Subsequent treatment depends on the type of testicular cancer and extent of disease, which become clear after surgery. For most men, cancer is localized and in early stages. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis as well as a physical examination and blood work (tumor markers) are done to rule out spread (metastasis) of the cancer. If it has not spread, the recommended treatment is active surveillance (close monitoring with periodic blood tests and CT scans). In some men without evidence of metastases who have high-risk features, surgery to remove lymph nodes in the abdomen (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) or 1 to 2 doses of chemotherapy may be recommended to lower the risk of recurrence. In men with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis or those who develop recurrence later, treatment options include chemotherapy, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, or radiation therapy (for seminoma only). A combination of treatments often cures testicular cancer. 