Testicular cancer Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, July 2009.
Answers to questions about testicular cancer
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- What happens if I get cancer in both testicles?
- Will having testicular cancer affect my chances of having children?
- Does everybody with testicular cancer receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy?
What happens if I get cancer in both testicles?
This is an extremely rare situation. However, if it does occur, you may need to have both testicles removed.
Explanation
Getting cancer in both testicles is very rare, but it can occasionally develop in your remaining testicle after having one removed. If this happens, you will need to have the other removed as well. This will mean that you're infertile, but your doctor will discuss this with you before treatment and offer you the opportunity to bank your sperm. The sperm is frozen so you can try for children using fertility treatment in the future.
Your body will stop making the hormone testosterone after the operation so you will need testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone is either injected or given in skin patches. If you have injections, you will need to have them every two to three weeks. This will give you a normal sex drive and allow you to have an erection. It will also prevent mood swings and tiredness, which can be caused by a lack of testosterone.
Having both testicles removed can be distressing and you may find it difficult to talk to your partner. Your doctor may refer you to a counsellor at the hospital or a sex therapist so you can talk through your feelings.
Further information
- Cancer Research UK
0808 800 4040
www.cancerresearchuk.org - Macmillan Cancer Support
0808 800 1234
www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Sources
- Which surgery for testicular cancer? Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 25 February 2009
- Your sex life and testicular cancer. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 25 February 2009
- Fertility - having children after testicular cancer. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 25 February 2009
Will having testicular cancer affect my chances of having children?
No, it isn't likely to unless you have cancer in both testicles.
Explanation
Your fertility won't usually be permanently affected if only one of your testicles is removed. Your remaining testicle will make more sperm and more of the hormone testosterone to compensate for the missing one.
If you have both testicles removed, you will be infertile. You will be offered the opportunity to bank some of your sperm before treatment. The sperm is frozen so you can try for children using fertility treatment.
Chemotherapy may affect your fertility. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses medicines to destroy cancer cells. It causes temporary infertility in most men with testicular cancer, but for most their fertility returns. However, for some men it may not recover, particularly if they have had very high doses of chemotherapy. Your doctor will discuss this and you will be offered the opportunity to bank your sperm before treatment.
Further information
- Cancer Research UK
0808 800 4040
www.cancerresearchuk.org - Macmillan Cancer Support
0808 800 1234
www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Sources
- Your sex life and testicular cancer. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 25 February 2009
- Which surgery for testicular cancer? Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 25 February 2009
- Fertility - having children after testicular cancer. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 25 February 2009
Does everybody with testicular cancer receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy?
No, but increasingly more and more men are offered chemotherapy after having a testicle removed. Sometimes men with seminoma may be offered radiotherapy.
Explanation
After having had a testicle removed, you may have blood tests, a chest X-ray, ultrasound or a CT scan to see if the cancer has spread. If it has, you will be offered chemotherapy. Even if the cancer hasn't spread, your doctor may offer you a short course or single treatment of chemotherapy to reduce the chances of the cancer coming back in the future.
Radiotherapy is sometimes used to treat seminoma to stop the cancer returning after surgery or to treat any cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes.
Further information
- Cancer Research UK
0808 800 4040
www.cancerresearchuk.org - Macmillan Cancer Support
0808 800 1234
www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Sources
- Personal communication, Dr T Whittlestone, MA, MD FRCS(Urol), Consultant Urological Surgeon, University Bristol Hospitals Foundation Trust, 11 June 2008
- Further testicular cancer tests. Cancer Research UK. www.cancerhelp.org.uk, accessed 25 February 2009
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: July 2009
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