The Treatment of Testicular Cancer

Testicular is most commonly of two types. They grow from the different types of cells that make up the testicle. This is important because each cancer is treated differently. The two types are known as seminoma and non seminoma. This is a slight simplification of the real state of affairs but will do from the point of view of treatment.

Treatment for Non Seminoma

This type of cancer is often called teratoma in the UK. It may also be referred to as NSGCT or non seminomatous germ cell tumour. The tumour usually produces chemicals in the blood which can be measured to assess treatment. These chemicals; beta HCG, alpha fetoprotein and LDH will be measured before and after your operation. If levels fall to normal and your CT scan is normal you will need to further treatment at this time. You will be followed in outpatients as discussed below.

If you have blood tests that are high and do not come down after surgery, or if you have evidence of spread of the cancer on your scan or in the testicle that was sent to the laboratory, you will need some further treatment. For patients with teratoma this takes the form of a number of cycles of chemotherapy. They are known as cycles because the drugs are given in groups with rest or recovery periods in between. Your doctor will discuss the side effects of chemotherapy with you before treatment.

Most patients who have chemotherapy for non seminoma will be placed on surveillance as discussed below. A few however, are left with enlarged lymph glands after chemo, these will need surgery to be removed. Most of these glands contain no active cancerous tissue. It is unfortunately not possible to tell which ones are active before surgery and in addition glands which are inactive at the present time can reactivate at some point in the future. This means that all enlarged glands are removed by surgery.

Surveillance

You will be seen in outpatients on a regular basis. This will involve blood tests, chest x-rays and regular CT scans. Gradually as the years go by your clinic visits will become less and less regular until at 10 years you will be discharged.

Treatment for Seminoma

Unlike non seminoma, this tumour type does not commonly produce increased levels of a chemical that can be measured in the blood. In most cases patients with this tumour will be given a short course of radiotherapy to the abdomen. Other than a degree of tiredness this treatment is well tolerated. In most patients this is the only treatment that is needed, however if the disease does not respond to the radiotherapy then a course of chemotherapy is given. Patients will then be watched carefully in outpatients.

Should I be worried?

Testicular cancer is a serious disease and more research is needed into its treatment and prevention. We need to be able to find treatments that have as little long term harm in the patient as possible whilst not sacrificing cure rates. Some people still sadly die from testicular cancer, normally a small number of those with advanced disease. The management of patients with testicular cancer is one of the great success stories of modern medicine but there is still a little more to be done.

Where Can I Get Help?

If you are worried that you might have testicular cancer or have questions regarding your treatment you should speak to your GP, urologist or oncologist. Many hospitals also have trained oncology nurses who will be able to discuss things with you. There are a short number of links below to other organisations. If you wish to write an e-mail for confidential advice click here. We will endeavor to return your e-mail as soon as possible. If you are worried that you have cancer do not delay while waiting for a reply, get some medical advice from your GP.

Page 1 2 3 4 5 6