When should I call my care team?

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills, during chemotherapy; New or worse shortness of breath, or a new cough, especially on bleomycin; Chest pain; Not able to eat or drink or keep fluids down for a day; Very little urine, or dark urine with dizziness; Sudden hearing loss or severe ringing in the ears; Swelling or pain in one leg, or sudden shortness of breath; Severe headache, confusion, seizure, or new weakness; Redness, swelling, or fluid leaking from a surgery cut; Severe belly or back pain; A new lump in the other testicle; If it feels very bad, call 911.

What chemotherapy plans are used for testicular cancer?

Common treatment plans include BEP, VIP. Your care team picks the plan that fits your cancer and your health.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer responds very well to treatment, and most people do very well, even when it has spread.

Hi, I'm Rosa. Today we'll go through testicular cancer together, one step at a time. I'll keep it simple, and you can pause me, go back, or skip ahead whenever you like. Just so you know, this is for learning only. It is not medical advice, so please check everything with your own doctor and care team. Okay, let's get started.

What testicular cancer is

Let's start with the basics. The testicles are two glands in the scrotum. They make sperm and the hormone testosterone. Testicular cancer starts when cells in a testicle grow out of control. It is most common in young men. Almost all start in the cells that make sperm. The most common sign is a painless lump or swelling. Here is some good news. This is one of the most treatable cancers. It responds very well to chemotherapy. Most people do very well.

The main types

Let's talk briefly about the types. There are two main kinds. The first is called seminoma. It tends to grow slowly. It responds very well to chemotherapy and radiation. The second is called nonseminoma. It often grows faster. It responds very well to chemotherapy, but not to radiation. Some tumors are a mix of cell types. If any part is nonseminoma, it is treated as nonseminoma. Rarely, these tumors start outside the testicle. Your pathology report will say which type you have.

Tests you may have

Now let's talk about tests. An ultrasound of the scrotum is the first test for a lump. It uses sound waves. Blood tests measure tumor markers. These are signs of cancer in the blood. Surgery removes the whole testicle through a small cut in the groin. This shows what kind of cancer it is. It is also the first treatment. A CT scan checks the lymph nodes and lungs. Sperm banking can store sperm for the future. Ideally, this is done before treatment. You can read more about each test in the guide.

What the stage means

Next up, let's talk about stages. The stage tells if the cancer has spread and how far. It also uses your blood marker levels after surgery. Stages go from one to three. Stage one means the cancer is only in the testicle. Spread usually happens in a set order. It goes first to lymph nodes at the back of the belly. If it has spread, doctors also use risk groups. Most people are in the good risk group. Why does all this matter? It helps your team plan the right treatment.

Tumor markers

Before we move to treatment, there are some things to know. This cancer has very useful blood markers. There are three main ones. Each has a different role. They help confirm the type of cancer. They help set the stage. They show if treatment is working. After surgery, the markers should fall over a few weeks. A rising marker can be the first sign the cancer is back. Your doctor will tell you your results and what they mean. You can read more in the guide. The Questions to ask page can help too.

Main treatments

Now let's talk about treatment. Almost everyone first has surgery to remove the testicle. You can ask about an implant for appearance. Many people with stage one only need close follow-up. This is called active surveillance. Chemotherapy is given through a vein in cycles. It works very well for this cancer. Radiation is used for some seminomas. Surgery can remove lymph nodes at the back of the belly. It can also remove masses left after chemotherapy. There are also clinical trials. These are research studies that may offer new options. Ask your team if one fits you.

Side effects and what helps

Let's talk about side effects. Feeling very tired is common during chemotherapy. Rest and take short walks. Nausea medicines work well. Take them even before you feel sick. Chemotherapy can lower your ability to fight infection. Call right away for a fever. One medicine can affect the lungs. Do not smoke, and report any new cough. Some medicines can affect hearing. Tell your team about ringing in your ears. Treatment can lower sperm count. We have a whole side effects guide on this site.

Living well

Last, let's talk about living well. Most people return to work, school, and sports. Many go on to have children. Follow-up visits are very important. Do not skip them. Check your other testicle each month. Do not smoke, and stay active. Losing a testicle can feel hard. Counseling and other survivors can help. Now, some signs mean call your team right away. A fever or chills during chemotherapy. New shortness of breath or a new cough. Chest pain. If it feels very bad, call 911. Check out our new Screening, prevention and survivorship section.

You did great today. That was a lot to learn, and you went step by step. Write down your questions and bring them to your next visit. Call your care team any time something worries you. You are not alone in this.

Call your care team right away if you have

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills, during chemotherapy
New or worse shortness of breath, or a new cough, especially on bleomycin
Chest pain
Not able to eat or drink or keep fluids down for a day
Very little urine, or dark urine with dizziness
Sudden hearing loss or severe ringing in the ears
Swelling or pain in one leg, or sudden shortness of breath
Severe headache, confusion, seizure, or new weakness
Redness, swelling, or fluid leaking from a surgery cut
Severe belly or back pain
A new lump in the other testicle
If it feels very bad, call 911.

Treatment plans (regimens)

Medicines often used

Side effects: what helps

Sources

Quick answers

What is testicular cancer?: The testicles (testes) are two glands in the scrotum. They make sperm and the hormone testosterone. Testicular cancer starts when cells in a testicle grow out of control. It is the most common solid cancer in young men, ages 15 to 35. It can happen at other ages too.
When should I call my care team?: Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills, during chemotherapy; New or worse shortness of breath, or a new cough, especially on bleomycin; Chest pain; Not able to eat or drink or keep fluids down for a day; Very little urine, or dark urine with dizziness; Sudden hearing loss or severe ringing in the ears; Swelling or pain in one leg, or sudden shortness of breath; Severe headache, confusion, seizure, or new weakness; Redness, swelling, or fluid leaking from a surgery cut; Severe belly or back pain; A new lump in the other testicle; If it feels very bad, call 911.
What chemotherapy plans are used for testicular cancer?: Common treatment plans include BEP, VIP. Your care team picks the plan that fits your cancer and your health.

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.