If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, it’s important to seek out the appropriate testicular cancer treatment to help prevent any negative side effects. In addition to testicular cancer surgery, doctors may use chemotherapy or radiation to combat the cancer. The type of treatment will depend on how advanced the cancer is. During your next visit with your doctor, it’s important to ask all the questions you have.
Depending on the stage of the disease, tests may determine whether the cancer has spread beyond the testicle. It may have spread to other areas, such as the scrotum, liver, or even the brain. If you have been diagnosed with stage II or III testicular cancer, your prognosis is good, intermediate, or poor. If you are diagnosed with stage I testicular cancer, your prognosis is excellent.
UCLA urologists are leaders in the field of urology and research. The UCLA Testicular Cancer Program has been a pioneer in developing new technologies and treatments. The program also uses a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, creating individualized treatment plans for every patient. There are no formal guidelines for testicular cancer treatment, but the UCLA Testicular Cancer Program has the expertise to provide the best possible care. Our goal is to help patients and their families make the right choice for their situation.
Radical orchiectomy is the first step in treatment. The tumor will usually be removed in its entirety. The tissue will be analyzed under a microscope for cancer cells. If the cancer is confined to one testicle, the surgeon may opt for testis-sparing surgery. However, this type of surgery requires an extensive consultation with the patient. Therefore, it is important to find a doctor who is experienced in this type of treatment.
Chemotherapy is sometimes used for testicular cancer, especially if the disease has spread to other parts of the body. This treatment also helps prevent the cancer from coming back. During the course of the treatment, chemotherapy medicines are injected into the patient’s vein. Sometimes, chemotherapy medicines are injected into a central line that stays in the vein throughout treatment. Although chemotherapy is a serious treatment, it has very few side effects, and most people will feel better after completing the treatment.
Another form of testicular cancer treatment is radiation therapy. This treatment can affect fertility and decrease sperm count. Radiation therapy may make a person infertile, so it’s important to ask your doctor about sperm-saving options before you begin treatment. There are many different options for radiation therapy, including external beam RT and internal beam RT. The process takes only a few seconds to expose the affected area. Treatment should continue for five to six weeks.
If chemotherapy and radiation fail to cure your cancer, your doctor may perform an orchidectomy, a surgical procedure that removes the testicle. After the procedure, you may return home. A few days later, your doctor will check your testicles for signs of the disease. If you’ve had fertility problems for many years, you should consider sperm banking before opting for treatment. You may be able to find a surrogate in the near future if you bank your sperm beforehand.
