Metastatic disease or recurrent disease

Although testicular cancer has a good prognosis and recovery is possible even with metastatic disease, some men do die from testicular cancer and they may be terminally ill. There may be disabling effects from metastatic disease anywhere in the body including:

• Lung metastases

May cause very disabling breathlessness reducing mobility to a few yards.

• Brain metastases

These may cause fits, personality change, confusion, difficulties with balance, walking and self care.

These men are likely to have had multiple types of chemotherapy treatment before treatment is stopped completely residual problems from these treatments are likely

Recurrent disease

After treatment of any stage of testicular cancer, the disease may recur in the other testicle or anywhere else in the body. Recurrent disease responds well to treatment but it is less likely that treatment will put someone back in remission. There may be any of the symptoms of metastatic disease. Treatment may include any of those mentioned above. It is likely to be more prolonged and have more disabling side effects than treatment of early stage disease. Testicular cancer is one of those rare cancers where treatment of recurrent or metastatic disease often results in long term survival and return to health.

Amended April 2008