What is cancer of the testis?

Cancer of the testis (testicular cancer) is an abnormal growth of cells that form tumors in the testicles. If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is still testicular cancer, and is called metastatic testicular cancer.

There are different types and stages of testicular cancer based on what kind of cancer cells are found, where the tumor started and where it has spread. Knowing your type and stage of testicular cancer helps your healthcare provider decide on the best treatment plan for you. It is important to diagnose and treat testicular cancer as soon as possible. The main goals of treatment are to kill the tumor cells, prevent a localized cancer from spreading, and prevent metastatic cancer from spreading more than it already has.

Testicular cancer occurs most often in men aged 20 to 54 years. There are a few things that increase your risk for testicular cancer. These include a family history of testicular cancer or having a condition called cryptorchidism, in which one or both of the testicles has not moved into the scrotum (also called undescended testicles).

How can I take care of myself when I go home?

How long it takes to get better depends on the type and stage of cancer, your treatment, how well you recover, your overall health, and any complications you may have.

Management

• Your provider will give you a list of your medicines when you leave the hospital.
  • Know your medicines. Know what they look like, how much you should take each time, how often you should take them, and why you take each one.
  • Take your medicines exactly as your provider tells you to.
  • Carry a list of your medicines in your wallet or purse. Include any nonprescription medicines and supplements on the list.
  • Talk to your provider before you use any other medicines, including nonprescription medicines.
• Your provider may prescribe medicine or other therapy to:
  • Treat pain
  • Treat or prevent an infection
  • Treat or prevent low blood counts caused by the cancer or its treatment
  • Treat or prevent side effects, such as nausea or constipation, from other treatments
  • Help your immune system fight cancer
• If you have had surgery, to care for your surgical wound:
  • Keep your surgical wound clean.
  • If you are told to change the dressing on your surgical wound, wash your hands before changing the dressing and after disposing of the dressing.
• Follow activity restrictions, such as not driving or operating machinery, as recommended by your healthcare provider or pharmacist, especially if you are taking pain medicines or muscle relaxants.
• Take care of your health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet and try to keep a healthy weight. If you smoke, try to quit. If you want to drink alcohol, ask your healthcare provider how much is safe for you to drink. Learn ways to manage stress. Exercise according to your healthcare provider’s instructions.
• You may need other treatments for your cancer after you leave the hospital. Treatments may include:
  • Chemotherapy (anticancer drugs), which uses medicine to kill cancer cells. Different types of chemotherapy may be given in the hospital, outpatient clinic, or at home.
  • Radiation therapy, which uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation treatment may be done in the hospital or and outpatient clinic.

Appointments

• Follow your provider’s instructions for follow-up appointments and routine tests.
• Keep appointments for all other testing you may need. Testing may include:
  • Blood tests to check for certain hormones, proteins, or chemicals that may be high if you have cancer.
  • Chest X-ray: Pictures of the inside of your chest to check for cancer
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan: A series of X-rays taken from different angles and arranged by a computer to show thin cross sections of the pelvis (the area below the belly and between the hips), and lower abdomen (belly) and other areas where the cancer may have spread
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A powerful magnetic field and radio waves are used to take pictures from different angles to show thin cross sections of the pelvis and abdomen and other areas where the cancer may have spread
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: A series of detailed pictures that are taken after your healthcare provider injects a small amount of radioactive material into your blood. The scan shows areas where the radioactive material is being absorbed.
• Talk with your provider about any questions or concerns you have.

Call your healthcare provider if you have new or worsening:

• Bloating or pain in your belly
• Blood in your urine
• Nausea or vomiting
• Depression
• Signs of infection around your surgical wound. These include:
  • The area around your wound is more red or painful
  • Your wound area is very warm to touch
  • You have blood, pus, or other fluid coming from the wound area
  • You have a fever of 100.5 degrees F (38.1 degrees C) or higher
  • You have chills or muscle aches
• Swelling, redness, or pain in your scrotum or groin
• Swollen lymph nodes in your groin

For more information:

Contact national and local organizations such as:

• American Cancer Society, Inc.
  1-800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
  http://www.cancer.org
• National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service
  1-800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237)
  http://www.cancer.gov