Testicular cancers are highly curable cancers affecting young men. The cancers are more common in individuals with a history of an undescended testicle. There also appears to be some genetic predispostion as close relatives may also have similar tumors.

The testicular cancers are divided into two general types: (1) Pure seminomas, and (2) Non-seminomas. The non-seminomas include teratoma, yolk sack tumors, embryonal, choriocarcinoma, and mixed combinations. The most common finding is a swollen testicle or mass.

Treatment depends on the type of cancer and the extent of tumor spread. However, even tumors that have spread are highly curable. Surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy may have a role in the treatment. Common medications include bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin, ifosfamide, and vinblastine.

Individuals who recur following chemotherapy or who fail to respond to initial therapy are candidates for aggressive treatment with transplantation. Results from several transplant series have noted cures with high-dose therapy. Two studies totaling 78 patients with refractory or recurrent disease using high-dose carboplatin and etoposide demonstrated a 55% response rate. (Ann Intern Med 1992; 117:124 and J Clin Oncol 1992; 10:558). Even among these heavily pretreated patients cures were achieved. Current transplant strategies seek to obtain even better results by treating patients earlier in their disease course, when the disease may still be sensitive to chemotherapy

The Adult Stem Cell- Bone Marrow Transplant Program of Hackensack University Medical Center has active transplant treatment protocols for Testicular Cancers. For more information on this treatment or to schedule an appointment call (201) 996-5849.

One trial is comparing the early use of high-dose transplant therapy with standard dose therapy in patients felt to be at high risk of progressive disease. For more information click here.