Patients diagnosed with this testicular cancer become quite familiar with the terms seminoma and chemotherapy. Seminoma is the cancer of sperm producing cells in the testicles; it is also called testicular cancer. This form of cancer is usually localized; it is very rarely metastatic or invasive. Seminoma is a slowly progressing anomaly and is mostly curable. Men in the age group of 15-35 are more prone to have cancer of testicles. Seminoma could be cured completely by using radiations or seminoma chemotherapy.

Seminoma is marked by:

1. Enlarged Testicles
2. Growth of a lump in the testicle
3. Lower abdominal ache
4. An ache in the groin
5. Heavy burning sensation in the scrotum

On sensing any of the above symptoms, one must immediately report their GP. The first indication of seminoma is the lump present on the testis. Once the lump is evident, a series of diagnostic tests could be preformed to confirm the tumor. Some techniques used to diagnose seminoma include:

1. Ultrasound: Ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the inside of the test is
2. Imaging Techniques: Doctors might remit positron using Positron Emission Tomography or PET or study the liver cancer cells under Computer Tomography or CT scan.
3. Biopsy: Biopsy involves extraction of tumor cells by inserting a needle. The sample hence drawn out is sent to a pathologist to examine under microscopic purview.

Seminoma Chemotherapy

Seminoma was one of the first cancers to be treated using Chemotherapy and Radiations. Chemotherapy is the best treatment for testicular cancer. The most common chemotherapy drugs to treat Seminoma are Cisplatin, Etoposide, and Bleomycin. Chemotherapy for testicular cancer could be given:

1. To treat the more aggressive form of seminoma that has evaded other body parts
2. After the surgery of testicles to kill or destroy residual cells to avoid any retracing. This is also called Adjuvant Chemotherapy
3. To shrink the tumor before a surgery as this would ensure that no more cancer tumors are left post surgery. This chemotherapy is called Neo Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

If testicular cancer or Seminoma recurs after the remission, doctors often administer a combination of high dose drugs to kill cancer cells. If the cancer has invaded surrounding healthy organs, stem cells are taken out of the body and are stored. Once the Seminoma chemotherapy is over the fresh and unaffected stem cells are infused to form the new and unharmed blood cells thus replacing affected ones.

Seminoma and chemotherapy or testicular cancer chemotherapy is given as an outpatient. The drugs are administered intravenously either by using a cannula or by inserting a thin pipe along the PICC line (On the arm) or Central Line (Along the chest). The dosage of BEP Drugs i.e. Bleomycin, Etoposide, and Cisplatin might take two to three days. A patient has to be in hospital during the course of these drugs. The chemotherapy is given in cycles over a period of few months. Before starting the chemotherapy treatment, patients are usually asked to take a blood and urine test to see if they are healthy and their kidneys are functioning in a normal manner. The dosage of the drugs, duration of the regimen and frequency of the cycles is decided by the oncologist.

Chemotherapy drugs work by destroying cancer cells in the body, the flipside being that it does not distinguish between a cancer and a normal cell. Thus in the process of curing, it hampers some normal cells alongside cancer cells. The chemotherapeutic disruption in regular functions of normal cells like hair cells, cells lining our skin, gastro intestinal cells, and bone marrow cells cause side effects like:

1. Hair fall or alopecia
2. Anemia
3. Weakness and fatigue
4. Difficult breathing
5. Sore mouth and loose appetite with diarrhea
6. Bruising and bleeding
7. Lowered immunity to fight infections

These side effects are commonly seen in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Fever during chemotherapy is also experienced by any patients as it is a common side effect. However, patients should consult their health care provider as soon as possible, if they have fever more than 100.5 degrees C, diarrhea or vomiting that does not get better with medication, black stools, yellow color of the skin or eyes. Even if you notice an unusual side effect, do consult your doctor about it.

Seminoma and chemotherapy are quite well known to those who have had this cancer and survived; most of the patients having seminoma live a disease free life after the treatment. There are three types of seminomas and the treatment can vary accordingly. If you have any doubts about the treatment, do ask them to your oncologist.