How To Test For Testicular Cancer Information

Main Menu

Testicular Cancer Articles

Treatments For Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 34 years of age. Due to remarkable advances in treatment options, this form of cancer is one of the most curable, if detected early enough. There are already many effective treatments for testicular tumors and cancer for men who have been diagnosed, and the prognosis can be very good.

The course of treatment for men with testicular cancer will be determined by the stage of the cancer and the classification. Classifications are made between ìseminomasî and ìnonseminomasî. Seminomas account for 30-40% of the tumors and are found usually in men in their thirties and forties.

Normally, the condition is localized in the testes, although in about 25% of cases it may already have spread to the lymph nodes.

Nonseminomas account for the other 60% of testicular tumors, and can be further divided into subcategories, with these tumors usually having more than one of the following types of cells: Embryonal carcinoma, which happens in about 20% of cases, usually in men aged 20-30, and is highly malignant. It can grow very rapidly, and spread to the lungs and liver. The other subcategories include yolk sac tumors, teratomata, and choriocarcinoma.

Treatment will depend on the classification, but generally the treatment options include one or more of the following:

Surgery - As the first part of treatment, most patients will undergo removal of the affected testicle, which is called an orchiectomy. A second surgery, called a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) may also be performed, again depending on the classification of the tumor. This will remove any lymph nodes that the cancer may have spread to, and is usually performed in the case of nonseminomas tumors.

Radiation Therapy - As in the case with surgery, the choice of having radiation treatment will depend on the stage and class of the tumor. Radiation will often be used as preventative therapy after surgery in certain instances, to ensure that there are not any small, non-detectable tumors remaining which could possibly spread.

Chemotherapy - Similarly, chemotherapy may be given to patients after surgery depending on the type of cancer that is present. It is often referred to as adjuvant chemotherapy, which means it is given to patients after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells in the body. The regime will vary, depending on many factors, including the stage of the disease, and the general health of the patient. Some of the most common chemotherapy medications used are cisplatin, bleomycin, etoposide, and ifosfamide.

Treatments for testicular tumors and cancer have made tremendous advances, and are now offering a 90 percent cure rate for men who are diagnosed and treated early. It is important to notice the signs of the disease, and not delay treatment to ensure a good prognosis.

Videos

How To Test For Testicular Cancer News

Texas Oncology Says "Be Smart, Know Your Genetic Risk" Genetic Testing Saves Lives

Austin, TX (PRWEB) September 19, 2008 -- Take a simple blood test and learn if you have a gene that predisposes you to cancer and could take steps to save your life. More than 30,000 people in Texas...

Web Site Helps Women Evaluate Risk of Breast Cancer

Evergreen Park, IL (PRWEB) November 17, 2007 -- In 2007, more than 178,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer is the most...

Topman Joins Forces With Top Jewellery Designer to Raise Awareness of the Everyman Campaign

(PRWEB) May 26, 2007 -- Topman, the UK's leading men's fashion retailers, has combined forces with rising star, jewellery designer Husam El Odeh, to raise funds for the 2007 Everyman Male...

TriMark Publications Announces Release of Its Cancer Diagnostic Testing Report

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 21, 2007 -- TriMark Publications (http://www.trimarkpublications.com), a global leader in the biotechnology, healthcare and life sciences publishing, announces the release of...

Vols' T-shirts raise money for cancer prevention (ESPN)

With help from coach Bruce Pearl, the school is selling Outlive T-shirts for $15 each at Knoxville-area sporting goods stores and at UTsports.com to raise money for cancer prevention programs at the University of Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute.