Treatment for Testicular Cancer
Treatment of testicular cancer depends on several factors, including
Treatment options may include the following:
Surgery
Surgery to remove your testicle (radical inguinal orchiectomy) is the primary treatment for nearly all stages and types of testicular cancer. Surgery might be done to remove the lymph nodes in the groin (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection). In the early stages, surgery may be the only treatment needed. In case of a more advanced testicular cancer, other treatments may be recommended after surgery.
Radiation Therapy
This is a treatment option for the seminoma type of testicular cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams, such as X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Side-effects may include fatigue as well as skin redness and irritation in the abdominal and groin areas. This may result in infertility. However, as the treated area heals, fertility may be regained.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy treatment uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be recommended after surgery before or after lymph node removal. Side-effects of chemotherapy depend on the drugs being used. Common side-effects include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, infertility and an increased risk of infection.
Stem Cell Transplant
Thisseems to be a promising mode of treatment in cases of testicular cancer. Before a stem cell transplant, drugs that coax the body’s bone marrow stem cells out of the bones into the bloodstream are given. Then, the stem cells are filtered and frozen for later use. After this, high doses of chemotherapy are given to kill any cancer cells, which may also kill bone marrow cells. The stored stem cells are thawed and put back into the body to replenish the bone marrow cells.
Next page: Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer
Written by : Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 22, 2012