Definition
Testicular cancer is a neoplastic disease that can originate from both germline and non-germline cells of the male gonads.
This type of cancer is not very common and can affect only one, or more rarely, both testicles.
Typically, it affects patients between the ages of 15 and 35.
Causes
As with all neoplasms, testicular cancer is also caused by an accumulation of genetic mutations, which leads to an uncontrolled and undifferentiated cell proliferation, such that the cells of the affected tissue lose their normal structure and replicate at extremely high speed. .
In addition, there are factors that can increase the risk of developing this type of cancer. These include the presence of a "possible family history of testicular cancer," infertility, abnormal development of the testicle, cryptorchidism, the habit of smoking and exposure to chemical agents such as chlorinated biphenyls and phthalates.
Symptoms
The tumor often manifests as a hard lump of varying size on one or both testicles. This swelling can sometimes be painless, while in other cases it can give rise to a dull, oppressive pain. In some cases, moreover, an "intratumoral haemorrhage" may also occur, characterized by the appearance of acute pain and a rapid increase in the volume of the testicle.
Other symptoms that may occur (but are not unique to testicular cancer) are testicular atrophy, pain in the lower abdomen and groin, and the presence of blood in the ejaculate and / or urine.
The information on Testicular Cancer - Drugs to Treat Cancer is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Testicular Cancer - Drugs to Treat Cancer.
Medicines
Treatment of testicular cancer involves the surgical removal of the entire testicle, or both testicles, affected by the tumor and the administration of anticancer chemotherapy.
In some cases, moreover, it may also be necessary to resort to radiotherapy.
The type and sequence with which to carry out the aforementioned treatments depend on the type of tumor and the stage in which it is located.
In the event that the neoplasm affects both testicles - therefore in the event that both gonads are removed - the doctor will subject the patient to hormonal therapies to allow him to recover the ability to erect. However, this does not allow the recovery of fertility.
The following are the drugs most used in the therapy against testicular cancer and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the active ingredient and dosage most suitable for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment.
Etoposide
Etoposide (Etoposide Teva ®, Vepesid ®) is an anticancer drug with a chemical structure similar to that of podophyllotoxin.
Etoposide has specific therapeutic indications for the treatment of testicular cancer and can be used both in monotherapy and in combination therapy.
It is a drug available for both oral and parenteral administration.
It being understood that the exact dosage of the medicinal product must be established by the physician on an individual basis - when etoposide is administered orally - the dose usually used is 100-200 mg / m2 of body surface area per day. When, on the other hand, it is administered intravenously, the dose of etoposide usually used is 60-120 mg / m2 of body surface area, to be administered once a day.
Finally, it should be remembered that etoposide can only be administered to patients by a doctor or by personnel specialized in the use of anticancer chemotherapy.
Cisplatin
Cisplatin (Platamine ®, Cisplatin Teva ®) is an anticancer chemotherapy that belongs to the class of alkylating agents. It is used - both alone and in combination with other antineoplastics - in the treatment of advanced or metastatic testicular cancer.
If cisplatin is used alone, the dose usually used ranges from 50 to 120 mg / m2 of body surface area, to be administered as a slow intravenous infusion every 3-4 weeks.
If, on the other hand, cisplatin is used in combination therapy with other anticancer agents, then the dose of active ingredient to be administered must be adequately reduced.
In any case, the exact dosage of the medicine must be established by the oncologist. Furthermore, its administration can only be carried out by a doctor or by personnel specialized in the administration of anticancer chemotherapy.
Ifosfamide
Ifosfamide (Holoxan ®) is also an anticancer drug belonging to the class of alkylating agents such as cisplatin.
Ifosfamide is available in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for intravenous administration. Again, the drug can only be administered by a doctor or by personnel specialized in the administration of anticancer drugs.
The dose of ifosfamide generally used is 50-60 mg / kg of body weight for five consecutive days, to be administered by injection or intravenous infusion.
However, even in this case, the exact amount of ifosfamide to be taken and the frequency of administration must be established by the physician on an individual basis.
Testosterone
As mentioned, patients who have both testicles removed must undergo hormonal treatment to restore their libido and erection capacity.
Synthetic testosterone (Testovis ®, Andriol ®, Testoviron ®, Androgel ®) is the drug most used to achieve the above objectives in patients who have undergone the removal of both testicles due to the tumor.
Synthetic testosterone is available in different pharmaceutical formulations suitable for different routes of administration (oral, parenteral and cutaneous).
When used parenterally or cutaneously, the dose of testosterone to be taken must be determined by the physician for each patient.
When used orally, however, the dose of testosterone usually administered is 120-160 mg per day, to be taken for a period of 2-3 weeks. Subsequently - depending on the response of each individual to therapy - the doctor may decide to decrease the dose of drug administered.
In any case - regardless of the chosen route of administration - the exact quantity of medicine to be used and the duration of treatment must be established by the physician on an individual basis for each patient.
