Testicles or testes are located in the scrotum, near the penis, and are responsible for the production of testosterone and sperms. Testicular cancer is caused due to undescended testicle, HIV infection and a family history of testicular cancer. Its symptoms include swelling of the testicle, discomfort in the scrotum, enlargement of a testicle, acute pain in the lower back and a sudden flow of fluid from the scrotum. Testicular cancer can be diagnosed through CT scans, ultrasound, biopsy and blood tests. There are two types of testicular cancer. One is called seminoma, where the cancer is formed from the sperm cells, while the other is called non-seminoma. Treatment for testicular cancer includes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery for Testicular Cancer Treatment

In most cases, surgery is the opted method of treatment for cancer of the testicles. The doctor removes either one or both the testicles to relieve the patient from testicular cancer. This method is called as radial inguinal orchiectomy. In this method, the nearby lymph nodes are also removed, to prevent the chances of recurrence of the cancer cells in the body of the patient. If both the testicles are removed, then the patient is prescribed supplements of testosterone. In some cases, where the non-seminomas are detected in the early stages, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is performed by the doctor. In this method, the abdominal lymph nodes are removed along with the cancerous cells present in the testicles.

Radiation Therapy for Testicular Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy involves the bombardment of high energy rays on the affected area to destroy the cancerous cells. It can be given externally as well as internally. External radiotherapy is used for the treatment of seminoma in the advanced stage, preferably in the second stage. In cases of non-seminomas, radiotherapy is given after surgery, to kill the remaining cancerous cells and also prevent them from recurrence. It is never given as the main method of treatment, in case of non-seminomas.

Chemotherapy for Testicular Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy involves a combination of different drugs that are administered either through pills or intravenously. Testicular cancer chemotherapy is generally given when the cancer is found to have spread outside the testicles. It is mostly used when the patient does not wish to take sessions of radiation therapy. Generally a single or double dose of carboplatin is given on weekly basis, keeping a rest period of around three weeks for the patient. This is given when the patient is found to be suffering from seminoma. Sometimes, chemotherapy is given in the early stages also. In such cases, Bleomycin-Etoposide-Cisplatin (3 / 4 cycles) or Etoposide-Cisplatin (4 cycles) is given depending on the condition of the patient. This is generally given in non-seminoma cases.

Also, as the chances of the recurrence of testicular cancer are high, the patient is kept under medication (giving medication or not depends on the condition of the patient and how well the patient’s body responds to the treatment) for around 5 - 7 years after the course of treatment is over.

Please note: The drugs / medications mentioned above should only be taken under the supervision of an oncologist.