Resources: Survivor Stories | Clinical Trials | News | Blog
Call Us for More Information
800.615.2270

Testicular Mesothelioma Treatment

Testicular Mesothelioma Treatment

Testicular mesothelioma is a cancer of the membrane lining that covers the testicle. Also called mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis, this rare disease accounts for less than 1 percent of all mesothelioma cases. In addition, the disease itself puzzles researchers, because typical mesothelioma patients can trace their disease to the inhalation or ingestion of asbestos dust or fibers while most testicular mesothelioma patients have no history of asbestos exposure.

There is a scarcity of research about testicular mesothelioma because it is so rare. Despite that, men with testicular mesothelioma enjoy a significantly better prognosis than most people with other forms of mesothelioma cancer. Most studies found median survivals of about 20 to 23 months, and one patient lived 15 years after diagnosis.

The most common symptom of testicular mesothelioma is a hydrocele, a buildup of serous fluid in the scrotum. In this case, the symptom manifests as an often-painless yet swollen testicle. The cancer is often mistaken for more common ailments such as a hernia, so, many testicular mesothelioma patients initially receive a wrong diagnosis. Normally it is properly diagnosed during surgery.

Surgery is the most common type of treatment. Although testicular mesothelioma is uncommon, resulting surgeries carry little risk. Most procedures have high success rates and few complications. Doctors may also recommend a radiation therapy regimen after surgery to prevent local recurrence. Chemotherapy and other treatments are not often used for testicular mesothelioma. To learn more about treatment options, complete this form and receive a free informational packet.

Surgery

Surgery

Men diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma are usually treated with one or more surgeries. Some studies suggest surgery has no influence on survival. However, because fewer than 100 cases of this illness are reported, it requires more research. Because some patients live for years after a diagnosis, it is possible that surgical treatment can significantly impact life span. Therefore, patients are generally recommended for one or more surgeries. These include aspiration, hydrocelectomy, inguinal orchiectomy, hemiscrotectomy and lymphadenectomy.

Order of Surgeries:

- Invasive surgeries for testicular mesothelioma tend to follow a particular order. A doctor may suggest one or more of the following surgeries, which are generally performed in the order in which they are listed.

Aspiration

Aspiration is a non-invasive procedure used to reduce fluid buildup from the hydrocele. It is performed with a needle to drain fluid from the area.

Aspiration provides only a temporary solution, and fluid again may accumulate. After aspiration, sclerosing medication may be injected into the area. This causes a thickening or hardening, which can slow or prevent further fluid buildup. Generally, aspiration is used only for people who must avoid invasive surgery because of health risks.

Hydrocelectomy

Hydrocelectomy provides a permanent alternative to aspiration. The more invasive procedure prevents future buildup by removing the entire hydrocele rather than merely draining it.

Before undergoing hydrocelectomy, a patient receives general anesthesia. While the patient is asleep, the surgeon makes an incision, usually on the scrotum. The surgeon then drains the fluid and removes all or part of the hydrocele sac. Complications during the procedure are rare but may include bleeding, infection or blood clots.

Recovery from hydrocelectomy is fast, and most patients are released a few hours after surgery. In some patients, doctors may recommend that hydrocelectomy be followed up with inguinal orchiectomy.

Inguinal orchiectomy

Inguinal orchiectomy involves removing a cancerous testicle. During this procedure, also called orchidectomy, a surgeon makes an incision in the lower abdomen to remove the testicle. The surgery generally lasts an hour or less, and the patient must remain in the recovery room for approximately two hours before returning home.

After surgery, the patient is often given prescriptions for pain medications. For the first few days after surgery, the individual is advised to keep an ice pack (or bags of frozen peas or carrots) over the scrotum. During this time, he should also wear an athletic strap in order to keep pressure on the scrotum and stop any bleeding. Complete recovery may take up to six weeks, but most men are able to go back to work after one or two weeks. Although the scrotum and scrotal skin are left intact during inguinal orchiectomy, some patients may later require a hemiscrotectomy.

Hemiscrotectomy

Hemiscrotectomy is the surgical removal of the cancerous half of the scrotum. This procedure is only considered when the scrotum is involved in the testicular mesothelioma. It is usually performed after the removal of the corresponding testicle.

However, if the patient has not previously undergone orchiectomy, the displaced testicle may be moved into the remaining hemiscrotum with the other testicle. Or, in some cases, the hemiscrotum may be successfully reconstructed.

Lymphadenectomy

Common Concern:

Lymph nodes are part of the immune system and help ward off infection. However, removal of a small number of them, as in lymphadenectomy, will not have an effect on the immune system.

A lymphadenectomy is any surgery that removes lymph nodes. Testicular mesothelioma patients may be candidates for the specific type of lymphadenectomy called retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND).

During RPLND, the surgeon makes three or four incisions, each about 1 cm long, along the midline of the abdomen. Using those incisions, the surgeon removes lymph nodes from the side of the body with the cancer. The operation lasts a total of three to five hours and is very safe. Potential complications include bleeding, infection, tissue injury or organ injury. Patients can expect full recovery to take about six weeks.

Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy and Immunotherapy

Treatment Definitions:

  • Chemotherapy uses specific medications, often administered intravenously, that target and kill cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy aims high-energy radiation waves at cancerous areas of the body to kill cancer cells.
  • Immunotherapy is a means of enhancing the body's natural immune system response to fight cancer.

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy are common techniques used in cancer patients to reduce tumor size and control tumor growth. Little is known about the roles of these three treatment methods in relation to testicular mesothelioma.

Doctors are unsure of the benefits of these therapies, either alone or in combination, when used in testicular mesothelioma patients. Similarly, alternative therapies such as acupuncture may be useful for some mesothelioma patients but have thus far shown no benefits in testicular mesothelioma cases.

However, some studies show that radiation therapy after surgery may prevent local recurrence. Since more than 60 percent of local recurrences occur within the first two years after surgery, it is vital to closely monitor and attend to patient health during this time. Some doctors may recommend a radiation therapy regimen to help patients stay disease-free.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials can be a crucial resource, especially for individuals suffering from rare diseases like testicular mesothelioma. Patients who choose to participate in clinical trials can be treated with up-and-coming experimental drugs and treatment methods. These can provide the best hope for recovery and a long life span. To learn more about clinical trials or to find a clinical trial near you, contact the Mesothelioma Center. Complete the form on this page to find out which clinical trials may be of interest to you.

 

View Article Sources

mesothelioma-packet
Name:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Country:
Phone Number:
Email:
Diagnosis:
Comments:
terms of use
Mesothelioma News
rss news tag