What are the main forms of treatment for testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer. There are three main types of treatment that may be used either on their own or together to treat testicular cancer: • Surgery Surgical removal of the affected testis (an orchidectomy) is the first stage of treatment for all suspected cases of testicular cancer. Removal of the testis through a cut just above the groin is performed under general anaesthetic. The surgical removal of one testis does not affect the ability to achieve an erection or to father children. • Radiotherapy Radiotherapy is commonly used to prevent the testicular cancer from coming back or to destroy any cancer cells that may have spread. High energy X-rays kill the cancer cells while minimising damage to normal cells. A radiation oncologist will decide on the length of treatment which may last between two and five weeks. • Chemotherapy Men with early stage disease who relapse and those with advanced disease are generally referred for chemotherapy
