Testicular cancer has received much more attention recently due to the experience of Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. It is actually one of the more common cancers in young men.

What are the Causes of Testicular Cancer?

Researchers have not been able to conclusively establish what causes testicular cancer. There are certain risk factors that may make it more likely in certain men (see below).

What are the Symptoms of Testicular Cancer?

• A mass or lump in the testes
• Swelling in the testes
• Pain in the lower abdomen, groin, or back
• Heavy feeling in the scrotum

Who Is Likely To Get Testicular Cancer?

Young men (age 15-34) are most commonly affected. White men are 4 times as likely as blacks to develop testicular cancer. Men who have had the following may be at greater risk:

• Undescended testicle
• Mumps orchitis (swelling of the testicles secondary to mumps
• Family history of testicular cancer
• Klinefelter’s Syndrome (XXY karyotype)

What Does Treatment for Testicular Cancer Involve?

The preferred therapeutic approach is surgery to remove the affected testicle(s).

Surgery

The surgery to remove the testicle(s) is known as radical inguinal orchiectomy. This procedure is performed through an incision in the groin. The testicle is removed, along with surrounding tissue.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is often performed at the same time to catach any spread of cancer cells to adjacent lymph nodes.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is not preferred as therapy for testicular cancer if surgery is an option. Seminoma tumors are responsive to radiation, but non-seminomatous tumors are not.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy for testicular cancer is best done as combination therapy. One combination that has been shown to be effective is:

• Cisplatin
• Bleomycin
• Etoposide

What Are The Advantages Of Surgery?

The tumor-affected area is removed, and further spread can hopefully be stopped.

How Long Does It Take?

The time required for the surgery depends heavily on the extent of tumor involvement.

How Many Treatments Are Required?

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy need to be administered as a series of treatments. Surgery should be a one-time event.

What Are My Alternatives to Treat Testicular Cancer?

• Paclitaxel (as part of combination therapy)
• Ifosfamide (as part of combination therapy)
• High-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow transplant

Will I Have Pain?

Pain should be reduced by treatment. There may be slight postoperative pain, but this can be managed by prescription or over-the-counter medications.

When Can I Go Back To Work Or School?

This is highly variable, depending on the extent of the procedure performed.

Who Will Perform My Treatment?

One of our board-certified urologists/oncologists will perform the procedure.

How Much Does It Cost?

Please call TopSurgeons at 800-506-8084 for more information.

Will My Insurance Cover Testicular Cancer Treatment?

Insurance should cover this condition and any approved treatments.