Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is a type of cancer that typically develops in men ages 20 to 35. It can be treated and is usually curable, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Most testicular cancer develops in germ cells, which produce sperm. The two main types of testicular tumors are seminomas and non-seminomas, the ACS says. Less common types of testicular cancer occur in the hormone-producing tissues of the testicles, in the cells that produce testosterone and other androgen hormones, and in the cells that support and nourish the germ cells.

Treatment for testicular cancer depends on the type of tumor and the stage of the cancer. A cancer stage refers to how far the cancer has spread from the original site in the body.

According to the ACS, these are the different approaches to treatment:

• Surgery to remove the testicle, affected lymph nodes and other areas where cancer is found. It's usually the first line of treatment.

• Radiation therapy to kill cancer cells. It's often used after surgery to help keep tumors from coming back. The potent X-rays may be delivered by a special machine. Or, a radioactive substance may be injected or implanted right in the tumor.

• Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It also often follows surgery. Some of these medications may be injected; others need to be swallowed.

Often treatment options are combined; for example, surgery may be followed by radiation or chemotherapy. When making treatment decisions, doctors look at many factors before recommending a course of action. In professional cyclist Lance Armstrong's case, surgery and chemotherapy were the treatments of choice. Even though the cancer already had spread to Armstrong's lungs and brain by the time he was diagnosed in 1996, he's stayed cancer-free since he received treatment.

His success story isn't rare. A man with that diagnosis has about a 70 percent chance of beating the cancer. But, more than 95 percent of men recover when they're treated before the cancer spreads. That's why early detection is so important.

Symptoms may include a painless lump or swelling of the testicle; discomfort or pain in the testicle, scrotum, groin or lower abdomen; changes in how the testicle feels; or sudden fluid build-up in the scrotum. If you notice any of these changes, tell your doctor right away.

Some men do testicular self-exams, but they haven't been shown to help men live longer. Your doctor is the best resource for information on how to protect yourself.