Chemotherapy is given to destroy cancerous cells that may remain in the body after surgery. The use of anticancer drugs following surgery is known as adjuvant therapy. Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, meaning that drugs travel through the blood stream and affect normal as well as cancerous cells all over the body. The side effects depend largely on the specific drugs and the dose. Other common side effects are dizziness, numbness, loss of reflexes, or difficulty hearing.
Some anticancer drugs interfere with sperm production.
Although the reduction in sperm count is permanent for some patients, many others recover their fertility. Men with testicular cancer should discuss their concerns about sexual function and fertility with the doctor. This procedure can allow some men to produce children after loss of fertility. Regular followup exams are extremely important for men who have been treated for testicular cancer. Like all cancers, testicular cancer can recur.