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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Wensley
By:John Davis
When guys realize that their lifetime odds of getting diagnosed with it are 1 in 250, many men will go looking for the symptoms for testicular cancer. There are many of them to be aware of, but if you know what to look for you have a better chance of catching testicular cancer in its early stages. If caught before it has spread to other organs, testicular cancer victims have a survival rate of 90 percent. When caught in the very first stage of existence, testicular cancer kills only 5 percent. Still, it's a very serious condition that deserves your very serious attention.
There are way too many symptoms for testicular cancer to list here, but I'll briefly go over some of the most common ones that are easier to notice. Many people who get diagnosed with testicular cancer notice a dull pain or ache in their abdomen or groin. Also, an unusually enlarged or shrunk testicle is something to take notice of. If there is blood in your semen, sex is painful or if you have a sudden loss of sexual appetite altogether, you should be concerned. If you experience any of these symptoms, please see your doctor as soon as possible to get checked out.
Testicular cancer is most commonly found in Caucasian men aged 15 to 40, although it has been found in infants and the elderly as well. While talking to your doctor about symptoms of testicular cancer may be an awkward conversation to have, it can also be a lifesaving one. Your health is too precious to put at risk because you're afraid of getting embarrassed or you don't like going to the doctor. Physicians get asked weird questions all of the time and have seen just about everything. Talk to your doctor, you're worth it.
Want to learn more about how to spot symptoms for Testicular Cancer? Visit the Mens Health Forum. It's free to join, so visit http://www.MensHealthForums.com/ and become a member today!
By John R. Davis
Considering that 1 in 250 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer at one point or another, knowing which testicular cancer symptoms to look for can be a life saving bit of knowledge. When you think about it, the statistics are staggering. Not only is testicular cancer fairly common, but it can affect any age group. While you're most likely to be diagnosed with testicular cancer while you're in the 15 to 40 age bracket, everyone from infants to the elderly are at risk. On the bright side, testicular cancer is one of the less deadly forms of the ailment. The mortality rate for testicular cancer as a whole is only around 10 percent, and when it is caught in the earliest stage that number drops to approximately 5 percent.
Still, many people have died from it and it doesn't matter how healthy you are. Take, for instance, Lance Armstrong. The man was a living legend and had won the Tour De France several times when he was diagnosed at the peak of his career. While he ended up living through it, testicular cancer was almost the end of this American Hero. As a result, a huge movement started with people buying and wearing yellow rubber LiveStrong wrist bands. Aimed at raising awareness, the little yellow bands did their job. All that, and many people still don't know many of the testicular cancer symptoms.
If you're unfamiliar with testicular cancer symptoms, please hop online and look them up. There are several of them, many of which are relatively obvious. Others, however, might not send up as many red flags. For example, did you know that dull pain in your lower abdomen is a symptom of testicular cancer? I certainly didn't, until I did my homework. I suggest you do some of your own, it could just save your life one day.
Learn more about Testicular Cancer symptons at the Mens Health Forum. It's free to join, so visit http://www.MensHealthForums.com/ and become a member today!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_R._Davis
If you are a male in the 15 to 40 age range, you should be aware of the various symptons of testicular cancer. As you may or may not know, while testicular cancer can affect anyone (including infants and those aged 60 and over), the 15 to 40 group is hit the hardest. On the bright side, if you do think you are experiencing some of the symptons of testicular cancer, you shouldn't fear going to the doctor and getting checked out. Testicular cancer have a very low mortality rate. Only 10 percent of men who have been diagnosed with the condition end up dying, and those who catch it in the earliest stage have a 95 percent chance of surviving.
Symptons of testicular cancer to be aware of include constant, dull pain in the lower abdomen or groin areas. Even if it comes and goes, you'd be better off safe than sorry going to get it checked out by your primary care physician. Also, if you notice that one testicle unexpectedly grows or shrinks you should be concerned. If sex is painful, there is blood in your semen or if you don't have much interest in sexual activity anymore, definitely talk to your doctor about it.
Nowadays, there is a wealth of information on the internet. If you're experiencing any symptons of testicular cancer, do a bit of research. Don't try to talk yourself out of visiting your doctor, and absolutely don't rely on the advice of internet strangers over your physician, but read up on it a bit. You might be surprised at what you can learn from visiting different forums and reading what people have to say. Up to 1 in 250 men in the United States will be diagnosed during his lifetime. Since the odds are already stacked against you, protect yourself.
If you are a male in the 15 to 40 age range, you should be aware of the various symptons of testicular cancer. As you may or may not know, while testicular cancer can affect anyone (including infants and those aged 60 and over), the 15 to 40 group is hit the hardest. On the bright side, if you do think you are experiencing some of the symptons of testicular cancer, you shouldn't fear going to the doctor and getting checked out. Testicular cancer have a very low mortality rate...
To learn more about the various symptons of Testicular Cancer, visit the Mens Health Forum. It's free to join, so visit http://www.MensHealthForums.com/ and become a member today
Truth About Cancer That Your Doctor Doesnt Know
Article Source: http://www.eArticlesOnline.com
By Owen Walcher
While life expectancy has increased from 47 years to 76 years in the last 100 years, more and more people are getting cancer and other diseases. How can we be living longer, if more and more of us are getting sick every year?
Part of this anomaly has to do with how statistics can be misinterpreted. For one thing, infant mortality has fallen from 165 per 100 births in 1900 to only 7 deaths per 1000 births in 2000. This skews life expectancy by almost 10 years. But what of those other 29 years gained?
Although more and more people are getting sick, over 53% of all cancer-related deaths in the United States were associated with four sites: lungs, colon, prostate (primarily male) and breast (female). And from 1990 to 1998, death rates have increased from 1.7% per year among men, and 2.9% per year among women. So, not only are more people getting sick, but more people are dying from cancer than ever before.
Why are there more incidences of cancer, and higher death rates? Many would say it has to do with the foods that we eat here in the US, specifically the genetically modified seeds used to grow our fruits and vegetables, and the hormones and anti-biotic additives ingested to increase size and reduce death in animals.
Others would say that it has to do with a person’s karma, and that there is something in their mental, emotional or spiritual bodies that has caused this outbreak of disease. Regardless of your own opinion, more and more people are looking to alternative food sources such as organics to reduce their risk of getting a disease, whether fatal or simply debilitating.
I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in September 2006, and as a 45 year old, was considered too old to get this type of cancer. But it was the same type of cancer as Lance Armstrong had, so it much be easily beaten. What I learned about cancer since that first diagnosis is frightening.
I had the initial operation to remove the primary source of the cancer, and then found out that it had spread to my lymph nodes. Testicular cancer is well studied, and there is a known regime of chemotherapy that works in 98% of all recorded cases. It is a grueling therapy (most folks get chemo therapy once a week or every two or three weeks, this is an everyday therapy), and include not one but three different chemo drugs, not to mention the other 3-5 drugs used to mitigate the side effects.
Alas, after the chemotherapy, my lymph nodes still showed signs of cancer, so off to surgery again, this time it was major, with an 8 day stay in the hospital, with the side effect (in my case) of getting lymphedema in the left leg. I am off tomorrow to get another CAT scan, to see if all is well inside me.
So, cancer has gone from a word one hears about related to death and disease, to a personal attack on my body. If you or someone you love has cancer, or some other nasty disease, we are here to help. Know that new cures are being discovered every day, and that there is hope for you and your loved ones.
Owen Walcher is an author and recovering from cancer. Visit his disease and cancer website that lets folks who are sick or who have family that are sick discuss their disease, cures, and non-traditional ways of helping folks get better at http://www.diseasesdiscussed.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Owen_Walcher
It is sometimes common for men not to listen to their bodies and to ignore symptoms they may experiencing. What many people don't realize is that the sooner a disease like cancer is diagnosed, the better chances of survival. So, if you are feeling any if these symptoms of cancer, get checked out by a doctor. Chances are it's not cancer related, but better to be safe.
1. Pain or difficulty urinating.
Pain or difficult urination is often a sign of prostate cancer. This also includes having a weak stream of urine. Having to urinate often at night should be reported to a physician. Men should also watch out for any blood in the urine.2. Testicular lumps.
A lump, no matter what the size, in the testicle can be a sign of testicular cancer. Men should examine their scrotum and testicles every month. This type of monthly exam is called a testicular self exam.3. Pelvic pain
Pain in the pelvic region can be a symptoms of many things, including testicular and prostate cancer. Any type of pain lasting more than a few days or pain that does not go away needs to be evaluated by a doctor.4. Sore, lesion or growth on the penis.
A sore or lesion on the penis is a symptom of penile cancer. Penile cancer, although rare, does occur. If you have any abnormalities on your penis, see a doctor.5. Persistent Stomach Upset or Bowel Changes
If you experience constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stools, gas, thinner stools, or just a general overall change in bowel habits, see your doctor. Changes in the bowel can be signs of colon cancer.6. Changes in the breast.
Did you know that men can also develop breast cancer? Men need to watch of for symptoms like nipple discharge, lumps, skin dimpling and a red or scaly appearance on or around the breast.7. Unintentional weightloss.
Losing 10 or more pounds without trying may be a nice surprise, but isn't quite normal. Although weight may fluctuate throughout the month, anything 10 pounds or more should be reported to your doctor.8. Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
Having a cough that does not go away, wheezing or difficulty breathing that is not related to another condition can be a symptom of lung cancer. If you are experiencing the signs of lung cancer, please see your doctor as soon as possible.9. Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the most commonly experienced cancer symptom. It is usually more common when the cancer is at an advanced stage, but it is still occurs early on. Any type of fatigue that prevents you from doing normal daily activities needs to be evaluated by a doctor.source:about.com
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