Testicular Cancer is Highly Treatable if Caught Early
The good news: Testicular cancer is highly treatable and curable. It’s most commonly found in men age 13-35 and accounts for less than 2% of all cancers in men.
Testicular cancer occurs when cells become malignant (cancerous) in one or both testicles. More than 90% of all testicular cancers begin in sperm-producing cells called germ cells. Most types of testicular cancer originate from germ cell tumors, which develop in germ cells (sperm-producing cells). Germ cell tumors most commonly start in the testicles but can also develop in other parts of the body, such as the back of the abdomen, the center part of the chest and lower spine.
There are two different categories of germ cell tumors that occur in the testicles:
- Seminoma
This slow-growing form of testicular cancer is usually found in men in their 30s and 40s.
- Non-seminoma
A more common type of testicular cancer that occurs in men from their late teens to early 30s, non-seminoma tends to grow and metastasize (spread) more quickly than seminoma.
The Penn Medicine | Virtua Cancer Program offers a range of diagnostic procedures, advanced treatment options and personalized support services for men diagnosed with testicular cancer. Patients receive an individualized treatment plan.
Along with radiation and chemotherapy, we offer the latest options available to treat testicular cancer, including:
- Radical inguinal orchiectomy
This is the surgical removal of the testicle through an incision in the groin. This surgery involves removal of the testis via a groin incision for suspected testicular cancer. A testicular implant may be inserted at the same time.
- Lymphadenectomy
This is the surgical removal of the lymph nodes located deep in the abdomen. This testicular cancer treatment may cause infertility.
For more information about Virtua’s testicular cancer treatment services,
call 1-888-VIRTUA-3 (1-888-847-8823).