Testicular cancer survivors face a high risk of long-term illness due to effective treatment

According to a study at the Norwegian Radium Hospital at the University of Oslo, testicular cancer survivors can face an increased risk of long-term illness, not because of the malignancy, but the highly effective treatment they receive.

Researchers found that the number of problems faced by survivors are higher than generally thought, because clinicians only report those that are life-threatening or require medical intervention. Awareness of this discrepancy has led to a greater focus on patient-reported outcomes. 

The research review, part of a November urology journal BJUI special issue on testicular cancer, shows that as many as a quarter of survivors develop long-term neurological, hearing and circulation problems and they are twice as likely to develop a secondary cancer. On a more positive note, up to 80 per cent who attempt to become fathers after treatment are successful.