Surgery to remove the affected testicle (orchiectomy) is the first treatment for testicular cancer. And if the cancer hasn’t spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body, doctors may also recommend testicular cancer surveillance. Testicular cancer surveillance helps you avoid other treatments while doctors closely watch you for signs of cancer.
Our Approach to Testicular Cancer Surveillance
After an orchiectomy for early-stage testicular cancer, doctors sometimes recommend treatments to prevent recurrence (when the cancer returns). But our team understands that not everyone needs them.
Instead, we watch you closely using regular imaging and blood tests. By taking this approach, you can avoid:
- Surgery: The retroperitoneal lymph nodes are located between the kidneys along major blood vessels. They are usually the first place testicular cancer metastasizes. Surgery to remove them (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection) is major surgery, so complications are possible. Research also shows that up to 70 percent of men who get this procedure don’t need it. Learn more about testicular cancer surgery.
- Radiation: Doctors use radiation to prevent the cancer from returning (recurrence) or to treat any remaining cancer cells. Radiation can have both short- and long-term side effects. Learn more about our testicular cancer treatments and how we make radiation safer.
- Chemotherapy: Doctors may use chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells or prevent testicular cancer recurrence. You may experience both short- and long-term side effects with chemo. Learn more about managing cancer treatment side effects.
Our team also understands that not every early-stage testicular cancer needs these treatments to prevent recurrence. Instead, we watch you closely using regular imaging and blood tests.
Benefits of Testicular Cancer Surveillance
While testicular cancer is uncommon, it mostly affects young and middle-aged men. With testicular cancer surveillance, more men can avoid:
- Overtreatment
- Fertility issues
- Long-term side effects of chemo and radiation, such as a second cancer developing or hearing loss
And if the cancer returns, active surveillance helps us find it early, so you can get prompt treatment.
Testicular Cancer Surveillance Guidelines
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) establishes best practices and guidelines for testicular cancer surveillance. As a member of the NCCN, we were among the experts who developed these guidelines. Your surveillance plan always benefits from the latest research.
NCCN guidelines involve up to 10 years of:
- Physical exams and blood tests: Every three to six months for the first year and then less often
- Imaging tests: Every three months for the first six months and then once or twice yearly
If there are no changes, you do not receive any treatment during this time. If we find signs of testicular cancer recurrence, we can quickly create a personalized treatment plan.
The NCCN guidelines serve as a framework for your surveillance plan. We use our expertise to create a plan unique to you — based on your personal circumstances, test results and health.
Testicular Cancer Survivorship Program
Many males go on to live long, fulfilling lives after testicular cancer. But they may experience late effects from treatment. Late effects are physical or mental health problems that persist or develop more than five years after diagnosis.
Our Testicular Cancer Survivorship Program helps you minimize and manage potential late effects. We provide support, resources and a personalized survivorship plan so you can live life to the fullest long after treatment.
Learn more about Penn Medicine’s Testicular Cancer Survivorship Program.
Make an Appointment
Please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.