Testicular Cancer Treatment and Infertility
Men with
testicular cancer should discuss their concerns about sexual function and fertility with their doctor. It is important to note that men with testicular cancer often have fertility problems even before their cancer is treated. If a man has pre-existing fertility problems, or if he is to have treatment that might lead to infertility, he may want to ask the doctor about sperm banking (freezing sperm before treatment for use in the future). Sperm banking allows some men to have children even if the treatment causes loss of fertility.
Testicular Cancer Treatment: Follow-up Care
Regular follow-up exams are extremely important for men who have had testicular cancer treatment. Follow-up exams will usually take place once per month during the first year after
testicular cancer surgery and every other month during the second year. Like all cancers, testicular cancer can recur. Men who have had testicular cancer should see their doctor regularly and report any unusual symptoms right away.
Follow-up care varies for different types and stages of testicular cancer. Follow-up care can include:
- Frequent checkups
- Regular blood tests to measure tumor marker levels
- Regular x-rays
- Regular computed tomography (CT) scans, which are also called CAT scans.
Men who have had testicular cancer have an increased risk of developing cancer in the remaining testicle. Men who are treated with chemotherapy for testicular cancer may have an increased risk of certain
types of leukemia, as well as other types of cancer. Regular follow-up care ensures that changes in health are monitored and that problems are treated as soon as possible.
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