Surgery

Nearly all men with testicular cancer begin treatment with surgery to remove the cancerous testicle. This procedure is called a radical inguinal orchiectomy. With nonseminoma cancer, surgery may be done to remove lymph nodes in the pelvis and lower back. This surgery is called retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND).

Surgery choices

Testicular cancer may be treated with the following surgeries:

• Surgery to remove a testicle (radical inguinal orchiectomy)
• Surgery to remove lymph nodes in the pelvis and lower back (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, or RPLND)
• Surgery to remove other areas of cancer if it has spread in the body

What to think about

Try to find an experienced surgeon and a medical center where many surgeries are done for your kind of cancer. Experience can make a big difference. You will likely have fewer side effects, and you'll recover more quickly.

Other Treatment

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy for testicular cancer uses high-dose X-rays or other types of radiation to kill testicular cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be used after surgery to keep testicular cancer from coming back. Sometimes radiation therapy is used to treat testicular cancer that has come back.

Radiation therapy may be used to treat seminoma cancer. Because the lymph nodes in the pelvis and lower back (retroperitoneum) are the most common areas of metastasis for testicular cancer, radiation is commonly focused on that area.

What to think about

You may have a choice between radiation therapy or another treatment. When making your decision, it is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and possible side effects of radiation therapy.

Complementary therapies

People sometimes use complementary therapies along with medical treatment to help relieve symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments. Some of the complementary therapies that may be helpful include:

• Acupuncture to relieve pain.
• Meditation or yoga to relieve stress.
• Massage and biofeedback to reduce pain and ease tension.
• Breathing exercises for relaxation.

Mind-body treatments like the ones listed above may help you feel better. They can make it easier to cope with cancer treatments. They also may reduce chronic low back pain, joint pain, headaches, and pain from treatments.

Before you try a complementary therapy, talk to your doctor about its potential value and side effects. Let your doctor know if you are already using any such therapies. Complementary therapies are not meant to take the place of standard medical treatment. But they may improve your quality of life and help you deal with the stress and side effects of cancer treatment.