Most often, testicular cancers are discovered by the patient either by accident or by self-examination. Men should see their health care professional right away to increase the likelihood of being cured. According to Dr. Brawley, many men discover a mass in their scrotum, but then wait months or even years to seek medical attention. Men with symptoms of testicular cancer should know that more than 80 percent of those diagnosed with the disease will be cured. Treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these.
Sexual dysfunction resulting from the treatment of testicular cancer is rare.
Many men diagnosed with testicular cancer are concerned that surgery to remove one testicle may interfere with their sexual function. In most cases, the surgery does not inhibit a man's libido or his ability to have erections. Although radiation and chemotherapy generally don't interfere with a man's ability to have sex, lower sperm levels are not rare with testicular cancer. Testicular cancer patients concerned about the possibility of post-treatment infertility can bank sperm in advance of treatment. Treatment for testicular cancer can affect each man's sexual functions differently.