Testicular Cancer

Treatment

The treatment of testicular cancer is determined by the type and stage of the tumor. It is a highly treatable and usually curable form of cancer. Treatment methods include surgical removal of the lump or testicle (Orchidectomy), Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy and surveillance. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can temporarily interfere with sperm production and therefore fertility.

Surgery
Surgery which is the normal treatment for testicular cancer involves removal of the affected testis. An incision is made in the groin, and the testicle is withdrawn from the scrotum through the opening. A cut is made through the spermatic cord that attaches the testicle to the abdomen. This procedure is known as a radical inguinal orchiectomy. The removal of one testicle does not affect a man's sex life or his ability to have erections or father children.

If the testicular cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the abdomen, a major surgery, called retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is often performed. In this procedure all of the lymph nodes connected to the affected testicle are removed . 

Side Effects : Pain at the incision site and numbness in the area surrounding the incision are common, and pain relievers are often prescribed. Driving and heavy lifting should be avoided for several weeks.

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs can be swallowed in pill form or can be injected by needle into a vein or muscle. It is an effective way to destroy any cancer cells that break off from the main tumor and travel in the bloodstream to lymph nodes or distant organs. The most commonly used drugs to treat testicular cancer are cisplatin, vinblastine, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and ifosfamide. In some cases, chemotherapy is given to patients after surgery to kill any remaining tumor cells in the body. This is referred as adjuvant chemotherapy.

Side Effects : Drugs used in chemotherapy can cause side effects, but these can usually be well controlled with medicines.
The possible side effects are lowered resistance to infection, bruising or bleeding, anaemia (low number of red blood cells), nausea and vomiting, sore mouth, hair loss, breathlessness, hearing changes, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation. Most side effects disappear when your course of treatment ends. Some drugs can cause long-term side effects like damage to kidney's and lungs, small blood vessels and nerves, abnormal tingling and hearing loss etc.

Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the treatment using a beam of high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells or slow their rate of growth. It is given to prevent the cancer coming back after surgery or to treat any cancer cells that have spread to the lymph glands at the back of the abdomen. Seminomas which very sensitive, can be treated with radiation. Radiation therapy is also called x-ray therapy, radiotherapy, cobalt treatment, or irradiation. 

The main drawback of radiation therapy is that it may destroy nearby healthy tissue along with the cancerous cells. The side effects of radiation are diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and skin irritation that resembles sunburn.

The earlier the stage at which your cancer is diagnosed, the better your chances are for recovery. After treatment, a patient should regularly examine the opposite testicle for possible recurrence for many years. Patients will probably have check-ups once per month during the first year after surgery, every other month during the next year, and less frequently after that.

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