Testicular Cancer: Treatment Questions

Talking with healthcare providers about your cancer can be overwhelming. It can be hard to take in all of the information. It helps to be prepared. Make a list of questions and bring them to your appointments. Write the answers down.

Make sure you ask how the treatment will change your daily life, including your diet, activity, and your sex life. Ask how your body will look, feel, and work after treatment. Ask how successful the treatment is expected to be, and what the risks and possible side effects are.

You may also want to ask a friend or family member to go with you. They can take notes and write down the answers, and also ask questions you may not think of. You can also ask your healthcare provider if you can record the conversation.

Here are some questions you may want to ask:

Deciding on a treatment

• What type of testicular cancer do I have?

• What's the stage of the cancer? Has it spread beyond the testicle?

• Do I need any more tests before we decide on treatment?

• What are my treatment options? 

• What treatment do you think is best for me? Why?

• What kind of surgery will be done?

• What are the goals of treatment?

• What is the success rate of this particular treatment for my type and stage of cancer?

• Could treatment affect my ability to have children? Should I speak with a fertility specialist? Should I bank sperm?

• What is the average life expectancy for someone with my stage of cancer getting treatment?

• How much experience do you have treating cancers like mine?

• Should I get a second opinion? 

• Are there any clinical trials I should look into?

• Will my insurance cover treatment? How much will I have to pay?

Getting ready for treatment

• What should I do to get ready for treatment?

• How soon do I need to start treatment?

• Where do I have to go for the treatment?

• Who will give me the treatment?

• How long will each treatment take?

• When will I be completely done with treatment?

• Does someone need to go with me during treatments?

• Can I take my other medicines during treatment?

Coping during treatment

• How will I feel during and after the treatment?

• What side effects can I expect?

• How long will side effects last?

• Will there be side effects I need to call you about?

• How do I contact you with concerns? Is there a different number for weekends, evenings, or holidays?

• What can I do to ease or prevent side effects?

• How will we know if treatment is working?

• Will I be able to go to work and be around my family?

• Can I have sex during treatment?

• Could treatment affect my sex life? If so, for how long?

• Should I change my diet? What foods can’t I eat?

• Are there support groups nearby or online that I can join?

After treatment

• How will I feel after the treatment?

• What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?

• How will we know if treatment worked?

• What long-term side effects do I need to watch for?

• What are my options if the treatment doesn't work or the cancer comes back?

Making a decision

When you have answers from your healthcare provider, it’s time to think about what you want. Think about what side effects you can and can’t tolerate. Talk about all of your concerns with your healthcare provider before making a decision about treatment.