How Is Testicular Cancer Treated?

Your stage of testicular cancer and your overall health will determine the method your doctor recommends for treating your illness. The main ways to attack testicular cancer are with surgery, and/or radiation, and/or chemotherapy (drugs).

Your doctor will work with you to choose the best method of treatment for your testicular cancer based on:

• Your age, overall health, and medical history
• Extent of the disease
• Grade and stage of the cancer
• Your tolerance of specific medicines, procedures, and therapies
• Expectations for the course of your disease
• Your opinion or preference

When testicular tumors are present, the entire tumor, as well as the testicle and spermatic cord, may be removed to prevent the spread of cancerous cells through the blood and lymph systems.

The main types of treatment for testicular cancer include:

• Surgery - The initial treatment for testicular cancer is usually surgery to remove the affected testicle, known as radical inguinal orchiectomy surgery.  In this procedure, an incision is made into the spermatic cord that attaches the testicle to the abdomen. Surgical removal of both testicles is called bilateral orchiectomy. An operation known as a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RLND) also may be performed to remove lymph nodes that lie at the back of the abdomen.

• Radiation therapy - Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) is the most common type of radiation treatment. In this treatment, a machine controlled by the radiation therapist directs radiation at the affected area.

• Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy drugs are used to kill cancerous cells throughout the body (systemically). In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell’s ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. The oncologist will recommend a treatment plan for each individual.

Various treatments for testicular cancer may affect fertility and sexual function. Discuss any concerns with your physician.

Emerging Treatments for Testicular Cancer

Among the new treatments being studied for testicular cancer is stem cell therapy with high-dose chemotherapy. Stem cells are specialized cells that have the ability to grow into any type of cell in the human body. In this treatment, adult stem cells are filtered from the patient’s bloodstream and then frozen. The patient then receives high-dose chemotherapy—which, along with killing cancer cells, also destroys bone marrow cells. Normally, this would be fatal to the patient, but the stem cells are then placed back into the patient and regenerate the bone marrow. This approach allows the use of higher doses of chemotherapy than would otherwise be possible, increasing the chances of a cure.