If you had an orchidectomy and the cancer was completely removed, you may not need any further treatment. Instead, you will have surveillance, with regular blood tests (checking tumour markers) and CT scans for 5–10 years.
Surveillance can help find if there is any cancer remaining (residual cancer). It can also help work out if the cancer has come back (recurrence). How often you will need check-ups and tests will depend on whether you had seminoma or non-seminoma testicular cancer. Your doctor will tailor a surveillance schedule for your situation.
It’s important to follow the surveillance schedule outlined by your doctor. While it may be tempting to skip appointments if you are feeling better or if you were diagnosed with stage 1 cancer, surveillance can help to find cancer early if it comes back.
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Prof Declan Murphy, Urologist and Director of Genitourinary Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Gregory Bock, Urology Cancer Nurse Coordinator, WA Cancer and Palliative Care Network, North Metropolitan Health Service, WA; A/Prof Nicholas Brook, Senior Consultant Urological Surgeon, Royal Adelaide Hospital and The University of Adelaide, SA; Clinical A/Prof Peter Grimison, Medical Oncologist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and The University of Sydney, NSW; Dr Tanya Holt, Senior Radiation Oncologist, Radiation Oncology Princess Alexandra Hospital Raymond Terrace (ROPART), QLD; Brodie Kitson, Consumer; Elizabeth Medhurst, Genitourinary and Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Rosemary Watson, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria.
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