Specific treatment for testicular cancer will be determined by your physician based on:
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your age, overall health, and medical history
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extent of the disease
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your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
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expectations for the course of the disease
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your opinion or preference
There are several types of treatments for testicular cancer, including:
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radical inguinal orchiectomy surgery (to remove the tumor and the testicle)
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external radiation (external beam therapy) - a treatment that precisely sends high levels of radiation directly to the cancer cells. The machine is controlled by the radiation therapist. Since radiation is used to kill cancer cells and to shrink tumors, special shields may be used to protect the tissue surrounding the treatment area. Radiation treatments are painless and usually last a few minutes.
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chemotherapy - the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancerous cells. In most cases, chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow or reproduce. Different groups of drugs work in different ways to fight cancer cells. The oncologist will recommend a treatment plan for each individual.
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high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation - removing stem cells from the patient's bone marrow or blood stream before chemotherapy and re-infusing them into the patient to help in production of healthy blood cells.
Various treatments for testicular cancer may affect fertility and sexual function. Discuss any concerns with your physician.