Read article About testicular cancer radiotherapy
This page is about treating testicular cancer with radiotherapy. There is information about
About testicular cancer radiotherapy
Radiotherapy treats cancer using high energy rays. Men with seminoma may have radiotherapy to either prevent the disease coming back after surgery, or treat disease that has spread to the lymph glands at the back of the abdomen.
The area that is treated is usually a strip down the middle of your abdomen. Radiotherapy is a very successful treatment for seminoma. Almost all men with this type of cancer are completely cured.
Radiotherapy is given in the hospital radiotherapy department. The course is usually in short sessions each weekday from Monday to Friday. The course normally lasts from two to three weeks. You cannot feel anything when you have the treatment.
To make sure you get the most benefit from your radiotherapy it is carefully planned. You may need a CT scan as part of this planning.
Radiotherapy does have side effects. These are nearly always temporary – they go away within a few weeks of finishing your treatment.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the treating testicular cancer section.
Radiotherapy treats cancer by using high energy rays which destroy the cancer cells. For more information look at the main section on radiotherapy which has much more detail about the treatment including what it involves, how your radiotherapy treatment is planned, and possible side effects, both temporary and permanent.
Men with seminoma may have radiotherapy to either
- Prevent the disease coming back after surgery, or
- Treat disease that has spread to the lymph glands at the back of the abdomen
The area that is treated is usually a strip down the middle of your abdomen, called a midline strip. Radiotherapy is a very successful treatment for seminoma. Almost all men with this type of cancer are completely cured.
Radiotherapy is given in the hospital radiotherapy department. The course is usually in short sessions (fractions) each weekday from Monday to Friday. You rest at the weekend.
Generally, doctors use lower doses of radiation to treat testicular cancer compared to other types of cancer. Your doctor decides on the length of your treatment. But the whole course normally lasts from two to three weeks.
Radiotherapy does have side effects. These are nearly always temporary - they go away within a few weeks of finishing your treatment.
Before your appointment, list the questions to ask your doctor. Take a relative or friend along. Someone close to you can give you support and can also remind you later about what the doctor said. It's easy to forget important things when you are under stress about your disease and the possible side effects of treatment.
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