Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is one of the most curable types of cancer.
Testicular cancers are usually first detected by:
- a lump that is felt in the testicles.
The patient is then usually referred to an urologist for a consultation.
Other tests:
- An ultrasound of the testicles may be obtained before or after the referral to urology.
- Blood work, such as AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), beta HCG, and LDH, is usually ordered before and after the surgery.
- CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis may be ordered.
Diagnosis:
If the lump is thought to be suspicious for testicular cancer, a radical orchiectomy through the groin is recommended and performed.
Types of testicular cancers- there are two major types of testicular cancer:
- Seminoma.
- Nonseminoma (also called mixed germ cell tumor).
They are treated very differently after orchiectomy is completed and carry different prognosis.
Treatment for Seminoma:
For stage I seminoma, treatment options include:
- Single agent chemotherapy-carboplatin.
- Radiation therapy.
- Observation.
For stage II A/B seminoma, treatment options include:
- Radiation therapy.
- Multi-agent chemotherapy.
All other stage of seminoma:
- Post-operative chemotherapy is often required.
For nonseminoma:
- A type of surgery to remove lymph nodes in the back of abdomen (called retroperitoneum) is another standard option.
- The standard type of chemotherapy is called BEP or EP. E stands for etoposide; P stands for cisplatin; and B stands for bleomycin. This regimen contains many serious side effects but is very effective in curing the cancer.
- Observation may be an option for stage I patient with low risk of relapse.
Follow up:
- Blood tests containing AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), beta-HCG, and LDH are always performed for patients with testicular cancer, but only one third of patients have increased level. They can be used for regular follow-up.
- Other tests such as CT scan and PET scan may also be ordered.
Department Contact List
- Department of Urology at Santa Clara.
- Department of Radiation Oncology at Santa Clara.
- Department of Medical Oncology at Santa Clara.
