There are three major options for treating testicular cancer. They include:

• Orchiectomy. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the testicle (radical inguinal orchiectomy) and some of the lymph nodes (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection). If both testicles are removed, the patient will become infertile. In addition, the removal of a testicle will leave an empty space in the scrotum that may make some men uncomfortable. In such cases, a prosthetic testicle filled with a saline solution can replace the look and feel of the missing testicle. Lymph nodes also may be removed, either during the same procedure or during a separate operation.
  
  Surgery to remove the lymph nodes may result in damage to the nerves that control ejaculation (sexual climax). The damage can cause the sperm to remain in the man’s body and travel to his bladder. For this reason, the surgery may result in infertility for the man, despite being able to have an erection. Surgeons attempt to use nerve-sparing surgery whenever possible to avoid this complication.
  
  
• Radiation therapy. A treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to destroy cancer cells. Seminoma testicular cancer is highly sensitive to radiation therapy.
  
  
• Chemotherapy. A treatment that uses one or more powerful medications to identify and destroy cancer cells. Seminoma and nonseminoma testicular cancers are highly sensitive to chemotherapy.

Men who have been diagnosed with testicular cancer are at increased risk of developing cancer in the other testicle. Patients are encouraged to do regular self-exams and to promptly report changes or unusual symptoms to a physician.

In addition, regular examinations are crucial to maintaining long-term health. Patients are likely to have checkups on a monthly basis in the first year after surgery, followed by bimonthly visits the second year and semi-regular visits thereafter.