Testicular Cancer Specialist

Golden Gate Cancer Center

David G. Kornguth, M.D.

Radiation Oncologist & A Group Medical Practice located in SoMa (South of Market), San Francisco, CA

Testicular cancer isn't as common as prostate cancer, but you should check for it regularly to be on the safe side. At Golden Gate Cancer Center in the SoMa (South of Market) neighborhood of San Francisco, California, radiation oncologist David Kornguth, MD, provides advanced treatments in a great environment. In addition to personalized attention and state-of-the-art technology, the practice has a pool table and complimentary valet parking to make your experience more relaxing. Call the Mission District office of the practice today to find out more or book an appointment using the online form.

415-685-0605

Testicular Cancer Q&A

What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer affects the male testicles (testes) — glands that create sperm. Most cases of testicular cancer affect males over 15 and under 44, but you could get testicular cancer at any age.

Testicular cancer is a pretty rare form of cancer. It's curable if treated promptly, and causes few deaths compared with other types of cancer. Self-examination of your testicles is essential so you can spot any lumps or other changes as early as possible.

What are the symptoms of testicular cancer?

The first noticeable sign of testicular cancer is feeling a lump during a self-examination. The lump is likely to be painless at first, but you could have a heavy feeling in your scrotum.

You might develop aching or pain in the testicle or your groin, and some swelling. Some men find they also have tenderness in their breast area or notice other changes.

Finding a lump in your testicle doesn't mean you definitely have cancer. Several conditions of the testicles might cause similar symptoms to testicular cancer, including:

Testicular torsion
Inguinal hernia
Hydrocele
Epididymitis

If you do receive a diagnosis of testicular cancer, you have several treatment approaches available.

How is testicular cancer treated?

For some men, a small, slow-growing form of testicular cancer might just need active surveillance. That means visiting your doctor for regular scans to monitor the growth rate of your tumor.

If you do require treatment for testicular cancer, one option is surgery. This involves having an orchiectomy, where the surgeon extracts the affected testicle and the adjoining spermatic cord via a groin incision.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also effective in treating testicular cancer.

How do I choose the best treatment for testicular cancer?

Dr. Kornguth discusses all of your treatment options to help you decide on the best approach. He aims to provide you with a balanced view of the negatives and positives of each treatment so you can make an informed choice.

For instance, having radiation therapy could lead to infertility. This is a significant issue if you want to retain the ability to father children. You might prefer to opt for surgery, or store some healthy sperm in a sperm bank before starting treatment to overcome this issue.

If you undergo radiation therapy, Dr. Kornguth focuses on reducing the side effects of your treatment and preserving your quality of life to the greatest extent possible.

Find out more about treatment for testicular cancer by calling Golden Gate Cancer Center today, or you can book an appointment online.