 |
Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer
|
After determining the type of testicular cancer and the stage of the disease, our physicians will determine the most effective treatment options to offer the highest likelihood for cure and preservation of quality of life. The type of therapy for each patient will depend on the type of cancer they have and the extent of progression of the tumor. In certain situations, patients with testicular cancer will require multimodal therapies (a combination of surgery and chemotherapy or radiation therapy). Our surgeons team with highly experienced hematologists-oncologists and radiation therapists and will create and lead the multidisciplinary team to provide the most optimal therapies for our patients who require this approach.
Treatment options for testicular cancer include:
Surgery - Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection (RPLND)
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Surgery- Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection (RPLND)
With certain types of tumors, when there is risk of spread confined to lymph nodes in the abdomen, you may be a candidate for this procedure. An incision is made to remove the lymph nodes where testicular cancer routinely spreads within the abdomen.
Our physicians at Comprehensive Urology Medical Group specialize in performing a newer version of this procedure to spare the nerves near the lymph nodes that are responsible for ejaculation (nerve-sparing RPLND). Ask your physician if you are a candidate for this type of procedure.
With certain types of early stage testicular cancer, this may be the only additional therapy needed with only follow up examinations with your physician after that. In other cases, your physician may discuss additional options such as radiation or chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be an option for treatment of early stage disease considered possibly spread to the abdomen, or more advanced disease as well. It may be considered in some cases as part of the treatment plan in conjunction with surgery. The side effects depend on the type of chemotherapy used, and can include cardiovascular side effects, fatigue, and infertility. Our team will closely work with you to help determine if this is a good option to help treat your disease, and will work closely with the medical oncology doctors to follow the cancer while the disease is being treated.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation treatment is predominantly used for the pure seminoma type of testicular cancer. This type of treatment includes high energy radiation beams targeted to the groin where the seminoma has the highest risk of spread. It is a highly effective and potentially curative treatment, with the potential risks including fatigue, skin irritation and infertility, which is usually temporary.
Many men experience decreased sperm counts with testicular cancer itself, which often improves after treatment. Some of the cancer treatments above can also cause infertility as well. To read more, please click here. LINK TO INFERTILITY PAGE
Testicular Cancer Home
Signs and Symptoms of Testicular Cancer
Risk Factors for Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
Testicular Cancer Staging
Infertility & Testicular Cancer
|
|
 |
|
|