Some types of testicular cancer can grow slowly. You may be able to put off getting treated. Some men may not need to be treated at all. In these cases, you and your doctor will watch for any changes or signs the cancer is getting worse.

The goal of treatment is to take out as much of the cancer as possible while saving as much of the testicles as possible. Added treatment may help to keep cancer from spreading or coming back. The plan will often involve a mix of methods based on the type of cancer, your age and health, and outlook. Comfort measures can be given if the cancer is in later stages.

Testicular cancer is one of the least dangerous cancers. If it's found early, over 95% of men survive 5 years or more. Even in men with cancer that has spread, the survival rate is about 75%.

Some forms of treatment may affect your fertility. If you plan on having children, talk to your doctor before starting treatment. You may be able to have your semen frozen for possible future use.

You will have a healthcare team made up of doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals. You will need to stay in touch with this team and stick with your care plan. Go to any scheduled appointments.

Testicular cancer is treated with:

Treatments for many cancers are always changing. Some have yet to be found. As a result, clinical trials exist around the world. You may wish to ask your doctor if you should enlist in a clinical trial. You can find out about them at the US National Institutes of Health website.

REFERENCES:

Cancer stat facts. Testis cancer. National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program website. Available at: https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/testis.html. Accessed October 1, 2020.

How are testicular tumors treated? Urology Care Foundation website. Available at: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/testicular-cancer/treatment. Accessed October 1, 2020.

Testicular cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/testicular-cancer. Accessed October 1, 2020.

Treating testicular cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/treating.html. Accessed October 1, 2020.

Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/testicular/patient/testicular-treatment-pdq#section/_50. Accessed October 1, 2020.

Last reviewed September 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP