Radiation Therapy for Testicular Cancer

Authors:

Amy Scholten, MPH

Publication Type:

ConditionInDepth

Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer. The goal is to kill as much cancer as possible while reducing harm to healthy tissue.

Sometimes radiation therapy is used with chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy is given:

After surgery to kill any cancer cells left behind
To ease problems from cancer that has spread and help a person live longer

External Beam

In this treatment, radiation is made by a machine outside the body. The type of machine will depend on where the cancer is, how large it is, and the type.

Radiation of a Tumor.

http://services.epnet.com/getimage.aspx?imageiid=25832583BY00015.jpgRadiation of TumorNULLjpgRadiation of TumorNULL\\filer01\Intellect\images\BY00015.jpgCopyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.138NULL2002-10-013613322583_20216Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

External Beam

In this treatment, radiation is made by a machine outside the body. The type of machine will depend on where the cancer is, how large it is, and the type.

Radiation of a Tumor.

Side Effects and Management

Radiation is aimed at the pelvis. This may cause problems, such as:

Erectile dysfunction
Blood in the stool (poop)
Problems passing stool
Diarrhea
A harder time holding urine (pee)
Passing urine more often
Problems with fertility—those who want children may be able to have semen frozen before treatment for later use

Other common issues are dry, sore skin, nausea, vomiting, and feeling tired due to anemia. There are many ways to treat these problems. Treating side effect earlier helps control them with less discomfort

References

Management of nonseminoma testicular cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/management-of-nonseminoma-testicular-cancer.
Management of seminoma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/management-of-seminoma.
Radiation therapy for testicular cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicular-cancer/treating/radiation-therapy.html.

Contributors

Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP

Last Updated:

2022-11-01

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com.