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The evidence-based recommendations described below outline the standard follow-up procedures for seminoma testicular cancer surveillance once you have finished your treatment and are intended to help you and your primary care provider in knowing the most updated information for follow-up care. These recommendations are not a substitute for your cancer doctor or primary care provider’s clinical judgement and advice.
ON THIS PAGE:
Follow-up|Manage Side Effects|Know Signs & Symptoms of Cancer Returning|Specific Concerns|Support & Recommendations|Ongoing Care
Remember: it is your responsibility to book your follow-up visits with your primary care provider so they can arrange the tests you need.
Since you are doing well, your primary care provider will be in charge of your recommended follow-up, which includes:
Talk with your primary care provider about how often you should have these tests.
If you need a family doctor, you can find one by calling Health Link (811) or visit Alberta Find a Provider. Once you have a doctor, let them know they can view the healthcare provider follow-up recommendations at ahs.ca/guru.
Side effects specific to non-seminoma testicular cancer may depend on the treatment you had.
Be sure to tell your doctor about any side effects, concerns or worries. They will be able to help you manage them.
Your body may not be able to make enough testosterone. This is a rare problem. If you do not have enough testosterone, you could have problems getting and keeping an erection and keeping your bones and muscles strong.
You may need to take a testosterone supplement. Taking testosterone supplements does not increase the risk of testicular cancer coming back.
You will not be able to have children naturally. If you had sperm stored before your treatment, talk with your doctor about your options for having children.
Your body will not be able to make enough testosterone. If you do not have enough testosterone you could have problems getting and keeping an erection and keeping your bones and muscles strong. You may need to take a testosterone supplement. Taking testosterone supplements does not increase the risk of testicular cancer coming back.
Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection or RPLND
You may have difficulty having children naturally. This is because the surgery can damage the nerves that control the release of sperm. If you are trying to have children, talk with your doctor. You may be referred to a specialist.
There may be long-term effects depending on the kind of chemotherapy you had. For example, Bleomycin can cause lung problems (especially if you smoke) or have kidney problems. Cisplatin can affect your hearing and cause numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.
Chemotherapy side effects usually get better in the weeks and months following treatment.
You may have experienced nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Radiation side effects usually get better in the weeks following treatment.
A list of general symptoms of cancer recurrence is found in the After Treatment Book, see page 11.
If these symptoms start and do not go away, call your primary care provider. They may do tests to see if the cancer has come back or refer you back to the cancer centre.
Most treatment side effects will get better several weeks and months after your treatment, but it is important to tell your primary care provider about any of your side effects or emotional concerns so they can help you.
The After Treatment Book also has suggestions for managing common side effects and concerns. If you need more information, your cancer centre and the Cancer Care Alberta website has detailed patient education materials to help with Managing Symptoms & Side Effects.
Treatment for testicular cancer can impact your sexual function, interest in sex, health, fertility, relationships, and cause distress. There are things you can do to help manage physical concerns like erectile dysfunction. Strategies and support are available to help you and your partner with intimacy problems, distress, and adjusting to these changes. See Counselling & Support or Sexual Health & Cancer for resources to help you, and contact information to book an appointment with our Sexual Health Consultants.
Resources for low sexual desire and men’s sexual health (including erectile dysfunction) are available at your cancer centre or see Cancer & Sexuality, MyHealth.Alberta.ca.
If you had Bleomycin chemotherapy, there could be a risk if you go scuba diving. Research has not shown strong evidence to suggest that scuba diving is either safe or unsafe. Talk to your primary care provider if you had this chemotherapy and want to go scuba diving.
If there are any concerns about your treatment or cancer returning, your family doctor will refer you back to us.
Note: The follow-up care information on this page is for people who have finished seminoma testicular cancer treatment and is based on sample End of Treatment and Transfer of Care letters from the Cancer Guidelines website. These letters have been reviewed and approved by the Provincial Tumour Teams.
This information can help you and your primary care provider understand what follow-up care you may need. It does not replace the advice of your cancer doctor or primary care provider.
At the end of your treatment, your cancer doctor may send you a similar letter with recommendations that are specific to your care.
For health advice 24/7 phone 811 a free health information service. You have options to speak with a variety of health professionals.
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