Treatments for testicular cancer

If you have testicular cancer, your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your health and specific information about the cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for testicular cancer, your healthcare team will consider:

  • the type of germ cell tumour (seminoma or non-seminoma)
  • the stage of the cancer
  • the risk of cancer coming back (relapse)
  • if you want to be able to get someone pregnant (fertility)
  • what you prefer or want

Expert review and references

  • Alberta Health Services . Testicular Germ Cell Tumours Clinical Practice Guideline GU-001 . Version 7 ed. Alberta Health Services ; 2016 : https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/.
  • American Cancer Society . Treatment Options for Testicular Cancer, by Type and Stage . 2018 : https://www.cancer.org/.
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology . Testicular Cancer: Treatment Options . 2017 .
  • National Cancer Institute . Testicular Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version . Bethesda, MD : National Cancer Institute ; 2018 : https://www.cancer.gov/.
  • Pagliaro LC and Logothetis CJ . Cancer of the testis. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, & Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 70:988-1004.
  • Wood L, Kollmannsberger C, Jewett M, et al . Canadian consensus guidelines for the management of testicular germ cell cancer. Canadian Urological Association Journal. Montreal: Canadian Urological Association; 2010.
  • Zach E . Testicular cancer. Yarbro CH, Wujcki D, Holmes Gobel B, (eds.). Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning; 2018: 69:1955-1978.

Treatments for seminoma

Learn about treatment options for seminoma testicular cancer.

Treatments for non-seminoma

Learn about treatment options for non-seminoma testicular cancer.

Surgery for testicular cancer

Surgery is the primary treatment for testicular cancer. Learn about radical inguinal orchiectomy and others types of surgery.

Chemotherapy for testicular cancer

Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat testicular cancer. Learn when chemotherapy is given and what chemotherapy drugs are used.

Radiation therapy for testicular cancer

Radiation therapy is used to treat seminoma testicular cancer. Learn about external beam radiation therapy.

Active surveillance for testicular cancer

Active surveillance is the preferred treatment after surgery for early testicular cancer. Learn about active surveillance and when it is used.

Follow-up after treatment for testicular cancer

Follow-up for testicular cancer is scheduled for 5–10 years after treatment. Learn about follow-up visits and the procedures that may be done.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

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