858.283.4771
Testicular
Cancer

Proton Therapy Testicular Cancer Treatment


Fight Testicular Cancer with Laser-like Precision

California Protons’ intensity-modulated pencil beam scanning technology is a highly precise form of testicular cancer radiation treatment that enables our doctors to selectively target testicular tumors with high-dose radiation within this intricate and sensitive area.

Compared with older passive-scattering proton therapy treatment, our pencil beam scanning technology precisely delivers proton radiation treatment for testicular cancer within 2 millimeters and with the utmost care. We can attack tumors layer by layer and minimize harmful exposure to surrounding healthy tissue and organs, such as the bladder, small intestine, stomach and prostate. This is important for testicular cancer patients who tend to be younger and may face a greater risk of infertility and secondary cancers due to previous radiation exposure. The reduction of radiation-related toxicity also increases the likelihood that patients can complete treatment with fewer interruptions or delays.

Testicular Cancer
Treatment Details

Types of Testicular Cancer We Treat

  • Testicular seminoma
  • Nonseminoma testicular cancer
  • Recurrent cancer

How Testicular Cancer is Treated

  • Target the tumor only
  • Protect your bladder, small intestine, stomach and prostate
  • Minimize risk for infertility and negative effects on sperm count and health
  • Maintain your quality of life during testicular cancer treatment
  • Reduce side effects of radiation therapy
  • Lower the risk of secondary cancer due to radiation

Benefits of Proton Therapy Treatment for Testicular Cancer

  • Our pencil beam scanning technology precisely controls protons to place the Bragg peak—the point at which they deposit their maximum energy—directly in the tumor. This allows us to treat more complex tumor shapes and vary the dose within the tumor.
  • Advanced proton therapy allows doctors to more selectively deliver high-dose radiation to cancerous testicular tumors and tissues, and reduce the dose to surrounding healthy tissues and critical organs. In some cases, this has been shown to deliver higher cure rates than X-ray radiation treatment even in some of the most challenging situations.
  • Because testicular cancers often strike younger men and are highly curable, damage to healthy tissues must be minimized to reduce the risk of infertility, damage to sperm and secondary cancers later in life. Proton therapy pinpoints testicular tumors with a narrow proton beam smaller than the width of a pencil, while reducing radiation to nearby organs and other important structures such as the bladder, small intestine, stomach and prostate.
  • Unlike with older technology, the treatment plan can be loaded into the computer and completed within a matter of minutes. Treatments are also noninvasive and convenient so patients can get back to their daily activities quicker.

Is Proton Therapy for Testicular
Cancer Right for You?

 

Depending on the stage and location of testicular cancer, combined treatments of surgery, careful surveillance, radical inguinal orchiectomy, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, chemotherapy and radiation may be needed for some testicular tumors. Treatment options are also affected by the type of testicular cancer, age, overall health and personal preferences.

Treatment for Recurrent
Testicular Cancer

Proton therapy is often the best way to treat recurrent tumors in areas that have previously been treated with radiation therapy.

Treating previously irradiated areas can be challenging. The healthy tissues around the recurrent tumor do not fully “forget” the previous radiation dose, and any added dose continues to increase the risk of normal tissue injury. Proton beam therapy may enable doctors to better concentrate the dose to the target and limit it elsewhere, allowing re-treatment with radiation in select patients.


Proton Therapy for Testicular Cancer Treatment Outcomes & Long-Term Effects

Proton therapy testicular cancer treatment at California Protons Cancer Therapy Center in San Diego may offer similar outcomes to standard X-ray radiation, while reducing long-term and potentially life-threatening side effects such as reduced sperm count and infertility due to radiation damage to surrounding tissues. It also offers the possibility of lower chances for secondary cancers later in life due to the reduced radiation exposure to your surrounding healthy tissues and organs.

However, all cancer treatments have advantages and disadvantages. Be sure to discuss all of the potential risks, as well as treatment options, with your oncologist.

About Proton Therapy

Coverage Options