Testicular Cancer Chemotherapy

By Chris Wensley

Testicular cancer chemotherapy is the most common treatment given to those affected by this increasingly common disease. In this article, I'll describe the different forms of chemotherapy and when they are used.

When Not To Use Chemotherapy

Not everyone diagnosed with testicular cancer will need chemotherapy.

Men diagnosed with Stage I testicular cancer may opt for surveillance or radiation. A light version of chemotherapy, carboplatin, is an increasingly popular option, however. Some may also opt for surgery.

Men with Stage II testicular cancer but only minimal spread of disease may not always receive chemotherapy. Sometimes an operation known as an RPLND is done instead and sometimes radiation is given.

Carboplatin

This is a light version of chemotherapy that takes only a single hospital visit to deliver. It is used as a preventative treatment for Stage I seminoma patients who wish to reduce the chances of a relapse.

It is less severe than other forms of chemotherapy to the degree that hair loss is rare. However, the long term risks of carboplatin are unknown as it has only been used for treatment of testicular cancer for a few years.

BEP

BEP is a chemotherapy course of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin. It was pioneered by Dr. Lawrence Einhorn of Indiana University and is now considered the gold standard of chemotherapy for most cases where cancer has spread.

It is generally given as 3 cycles and complete recovery takes around 9 weeks.

EP

EP is the same as BEP but minus the bleomycin. It is normally given in 4 cycles. It is considered equivalent to BEP but the two have different side effects. BEP can cause more lung complications whereas EP carries a greater risk of leukemia , neuropathy and hearing loss.

VIP/HDC

VIP (etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin) and HDC (high dose chemo) are only used for very high risk patients and are much less common.

Recently diagnosed or affected by testicular cancer? Get the concise facts you need to know about testicular cancer here: Testicular Cancer Library.

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