Sidney Kimmel Center for Prostate & Urologic Cancers Our state-of-the-art outpatient facility offers comprehensive care 
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Memorial Sloan-Kettering is highly experienced in the treatment of testicular cancer, a relatively uncommon type of cancer that accounts for just 1 percent of all cancers in men. Patients with testicular cancer are treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Kimmel Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancer, which is dedicated to the treatment of patients with urologic malignancies.
Many factors can affect a testicular cancer patient's response to treatment, such as the size and location of the tumor, blood marker levels, and whether the cancer has spread. Studies also demonstrate that the depth of experience of the physician and hospital can have an important, positive influence on treatment outcomes for men with testicular cancer.
Our testicular cancer treatment team has contributed extensively to a vast body of research on the management of this disease, leading to today's remarkably high cure rates. 1 2 3 Many of the physicians on our team are recognized leaders in the field, actively participating in organizations such as the American Urological Association, the Society of Surgical Oncology, the Society of Urologic Oncology, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Our testicular cancer specialists regularly hold seminars for visiting physicians and lecture at major conferences around the world.
Multidisciplinary Approach to Individualized Patient Care
Making an Appointment Call to schedule an appointment or contact us online
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Memorial Sloan-Kettering's approach to treating testicular cancer is designed to ensure that patients will receive the best therapy or combination of therapies. The team that diagnoses and treats patients with testicular cancer includes specialists from a variety of disciplines, including urology and urologic surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, anesthesiology, pediatric oncology, nursing, psychiatry, social work, and nutrition. Input from our multidisciplinary team is used to form an individualized treatment plan based on the patient's stage of disease, prognosis, and quality-of-life considerations.
Members of our team meet to review and discuss each patient's case and treatment plan. The team is joined by other specialists who work to meet the nonmedical needs of both patients and their caregivers, including those who provide psychosocial support. In addition, Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Germ Cell Tumor Committee, which includes surgeons, radiation oncologists, and research scientists, meets at least six times a year to discuss testicular cancer research.
Our Surgical Expertise
Our Publications Visit PubMed for journal articles from our testicular cancer experts
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Some testicular tumors are treated by surgery alone, allowing patients to avoid the side effects of chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatments. Memorial Sloan-Kettering's urologic surgeons perform more than 150 testicular cancer procedures every year.
When diagnosed early, many patients with testicular tumors can be cured by surgically removing the affected testicle in a procedure called radical orchiectomy. Many patients with testicular cancer require additional surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes from the back of the abdomen (called the retroperitoneum). Previously, this procedure risked injury to the nerves involved in normal ejaculation (also called antegrade ejaculation).
Over the past decade, surgeons at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have refined a nerve-sparing procedure that preserves ejaculatory function and fertility in most patients who undergo this type of surgery. Our doctors are experienced in selecting patients who are most likely to benefit from this procedure. 1 2 3
Multimodal Therapies
Our Clinical Trials Learn about new research studies for testicular cancer
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Some patients may require additional treatment with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these therapies, depending on the type of testicular tumor found and the stage of the disease. Seminoma tumors, which tend to be slower-growing and are less likely to spread than nonseminoma tumors, are often sensitive to external-beam radiation therapy. To ensure that all cancer cells are killed following removal of the testicle, radiotherapy targeting the abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes is often given to patients with early-stage seminomas.
Patients with more advanced disease may require additional treatment with chemotherapy drugs. Our medical oncology team is continually working to refine the combinations and dosages of chemotherapy drugs to enhance effectiveness and minimize side effects.
New Approaches to Therapy
Memorial Sloan-Kettering is conducting a clinical trial for the initial treatment of patients with intermediate- and later-stage testicular cancer. In our ongoing effort to find more effective treatments for testicular cancer, our physicians also are investigating dose-intensive chemotherapy and new chemotherapeutic agents, evaluating new chemotherapy combinations for patients with relapsing or resistant disease, and studying molecular targets of drug resistance.
Support Services for Men with Testicular Cancer
Our Support Services We understand that life is different after a diagnosis of cancer
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Testicular cancer usually occurs in young men between the ages of 15 and 35. Thanks to advances in diagnosing and treating this type of cancer, the majority of patients survive. Our doctors, nurses, and social workers are sensitive to the lifestyle concerns and long-term quality-of-life issues that may arise from treating young men with testicular cancer. We are always available to help address the unique needs and concerns of our patients and their family members.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering offers several support programs designed to help patients and family members cope with the spectrum of emotional and lifestyle issues that may arise during and after treatment for testicular cancer. For more information about the services we offer to patients with testicular cancer, their families, and caregivers, visit the Support Services section of this cancer information overview.
Access Information About Your Care
MYMSKCC Patient Portal Learn how you can access information about your care
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Memorial Sloan-Kettering has developed a secure Web site -- called MYMSKCC -- for Kimmel Center patients to access personalized information about their care. Patients who voluntarily enroll to use MYMSKCC can view and keep track of appointments; make changes to contact and insurance information; send and receive e-mail messages to and from their nurse; and view hospital bills.
To enroll in or learn more about MYMSKCC, please ask a session assistant in clinic or contact your physician's office.
1 Carver BS, Serio A, Bajorin DF, Motzer RJ, Stasi JP, Bosl GJ, Vickers A, Sheinfeld J. Improved clinical outcome over recent years for men with metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. J ClinOncol. 2007 Dec; 25(35):5603-8. [PubMed Abstract]
2 Stephenson AJ, Bosl GJ, Motzer RJ, Kattan MW, Stasi J, Bajorin DF, Sheinfeld J. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for nonseminomatous germ cell testicular cancer: impact of patient selection factors on outcome. J ClinOncol. 2005 Apr 20;23(12):2781-8. [PubMed Abstract]
3 Feldman DR, Bosl GJ, Sheinfeld J, Motzer RJ. Medical treatment of advanced testicular cancer. JAMA. 2008 Feb 13;299(6):672-84. [PubMed Abstract]
4 Eggener SE, Carver BS, Sharp DS, Motzer RJ, Bosl GJ, Sheinfeld J. Incidence of disease outside modified retroperitoneal lymph node dissection templates in clinical stage I or IIA nonseminomatous germ cell testicular cancer. J Urol. 2007 Mar;177(3):937-42;discussion 942-3. [PubMed Abstract]
5 Stephenson AJ, Bosl GJ, Motzer RJ, Bajorin DF, Stasi JP, Sheinfeld J. Nonrandomized comparison of primary chemotherapy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for clinical stage IIA and IIB nonseminomatous germ cell testicular cancer. J ClinOncol. 2007 Dec 10;25(35):5597-602. [PubMed Abstract]
6 Shayegan B, Carver BS, Stasi J, Motzer RJ, Bosl GJ, Sheinfeld J. Clinical outcome following post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in men with intermediate- and poor-risk nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. BJU Int. 2007 May;99(5):993-7. [PubMed Abstract]
Last Updated: Jun. 30, 2009
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