Prognosis and duration of disabling effects

Most men will experience some side effects during treatment of testicular cancer. Any needs identified are likely to be related to treatment and recovery is expected when treatment is complete, typically within 2-3 months. Five year survival for testicular cancer in the UK is 96% - most men have early stage disease and make a full recovery. Those with more advanced disease at diagnosis are also expected to make a full recovery, time taken for treatment and recovery is likely to be longer and at least six months. Some men will have enduring side effects of treatment which persist when it is complete and they are in remission. New long term side effects may develop years later particularly after radiotherapy treatment.

Stage 1 disease

Five year survival is 95%. The majority of men are expected to make a full recovery. There are no long term disabling effects other than the rare enduring side effects of chemotherapy and infertility in some men. The men who have had radiotherapy treatment may develop late side effects of this treatment some years later.

Stage 2 disease

Five year survival is 80-90%, with non-seminoma being at the lower end. The majority of men are expected to make a full recovery. There are no long term disabling effects other than the rare enduring side effects of chemotherapy and infertility in some men.

Stage 3 disease

Five year survival is 70% for both types of testicular cancer. The majority of men are expected to make a full recovery. Treatment and recovery are likely to take at least six months. There are no long term disabling effects other than the rare enduring side effects of chemotherapy and infertility in some men. Recurrent disease is fairly common and may cause any of the symptoms in the recurrent/metastatic disease group.

Stage 4 disease

This is advanced testicular cancer at diagnosis; they may have any of the disabling effects of metastatic disease. Five year survival for these men is 48% for men with non-seminoma testicular cancer and 72% for seminoma type cancer. Treatment and recovery are likely to take at least six months.

Metastatic and Recurrent disease

Those who have recurrent disease, which is not responding to treatment or who have had more than two recurrences are more likely to have indefinite needs and may be terminally ill.

Metastatic and Recurrent disease - Award for an indefinite period

Amended April 2008