Read article Follow up for testicular cancer
This page is about follow up appointments for testicular cancer. There is information on
Follow up for testicular cancer
After your treatment, your doctor will want you to have regular check ups. These may include blood tests, scans and X-rays.
You will have blood tests regularly for several years to check that your cancer has not returned. For the first year they may be every month, but will become less frequent in time. You may have regular chest X-rays because testicular cancer can spread to the lungs.
How long you carry on seeing the specialist will vary depending on your stage of cancer. With stage 1 testicular cancer, you may only need follow up for 5 years. If your cancer had spread you may see the doctor for 10 years. If you notice any new symptoms between check ups, let your doctor know. You don't have to wait for your next appointment.
Many people find their check ups can bring all the worry about their cancer back. You may find it helpful to talk about how you are feeling. It is quite common nowadays for people to have counselling after cancer treatment. Ask your doctor or nurse if you are interested.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the treating testicular cancer section.
After your treatment, your doctor will want you to have regular check ups. These may include blood tests, X-rays and scans.
The blood tests are for testicular cancer markers. You will have these tests regularly for several years to check that your cancer has not returned. For the first year they may be every month. As time goes on they will become less frequent. If you have had stage 1 seminoma you may only need appointments every 3 months for the first year and then every 6 months. But these are only guidelines and your doctor may need to see you more or less often depending on your own individual case.
Sometimes testicular cancer markers can be raised when a cancer comes back, even if they were not raised when you were diagnosed. So most men who have had testicular cancer will have these tests. Markers are less likely to be raised with pure seminoma.
You may have regular chest X-rays. This is because testicular cancer often appears in the lungs if it has spread.
How long you are followed up for will vary depending on your type and stage of cancer. If you have had stage 1 testicular cancer you may only need follow up for five years. If you have had disease that has spread you may need follow up for 10 years. But again remember these are only guidelines and follow up will depend on your own individual case.
Many people find their check ups quite worrying. If you are feeling well and getting on with life, a hospital appointment can bring all the worry about your cancer back to you. You may find it helpful to tell a close friend or relative how you are feeling. If you are able to share your worries, they may not seem quite so bad. It is quite common nowadays for people to have counselling after cancer treatment. To find out more about counselling, look in the coping with cancer section.
Remember - if you have any problems, or notice any new symptoms in between check ups, let your doctor know as soon as possible.
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