Orchidectomy is performed to remove the affected testis if the cancer is localised. If there is advanced cancer, this may be done after chemotherapy in order to shrink the tumour first. Following surgery for early testicular cancer, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be required to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Chemotherapy is used if there is advanced cancer involving other organs such as the lungs or liver1. Side effects of chemotherapy which are injected into veins include temporary nausea and vomiting, mouth ulcers, hair loss, loss of appetite and tiredness.
Clinical examinations, scans and pathology reports all help the medical team decide what is the stage of the germ cell tumour. The appropriate course of treatment may then be recommended. The treatment strategy will vary from person to person.
Prognosis of testicular cancer is generally very good. It depends on the extent of the disease, the state of health of the individual as well as response to treatment. With appropriate treatment, cure rates of up to 80% have been reported even for patients with advanced testicular germ cell tumour. Patients with early-stage testicular cancer have reported cure rates of more than 95% with appropriate treatment. Close monitoring of blood markers together with radiological assessment is essential to detect early recurrence of cancer.
