Recurrence

Like all cancers that are cured there is always a risk that testicular cancer may return. Most testicular cancer tends to reoccur within 2-years after initial treatment. Approximately 3% of patients with testicular cancer will develop a cancer in their other testicle. It is therefore very important to continue performing testicular examination of the remaining testicle.

• Most testicular cancer tends to recur in lymph nodes. If it returns in the remaining testicle it is classed as a new cancer.
• Following treatment, you will be monitored very closely for up to 5 years. During the first few years you will need regular blood tests such as tumour markers, CT scans and clinic visits. Any possible recurrence of the cancer will be identified quickly, and further treatment will be given.
• If testicular cancer has recurred in the healthy testicle, then this will mean that a further orchidectomy or very rarely a partial orchidectomy just removing the cancerous part) will be performed. If testicular cancer has recurred in areas of the body such as lymph nodes, then chemotherapy will be needed to treat it, although in specific cases surgery or even radiotherapy may also be considered.

Sometimes a higher dose of chemotherapy may be used. This treatment called High Dose Chemotherapy with Stem Cell Support.

Reviewed 1/2024