On October 2, 1996, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed withtesticular cancer.
About Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is not one single disease.
Embryonal carcinomas arise fromgerm cellsfrom which normal embryo cells develop.
Gail Oskin/Stringer/Getty Images
Stages
Testicular cancer is further classified by stage.
Generally speaking, cancer is no longer curable when it has metastasized.
One of the exceptions is nonseminoma testicular cancer in which a cure may be possible even with metastatic disease.
This is the standard approach for most people with testicular cancer.
This was followed bychemotherapy, which is used to treat any cancer cells that have traveled beyond the testes.
Armstrong received a total of four cycles.
The initial cycle of chemotherapy consisted of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin.
The subsequent cycles used a combination of vinblastine, etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin.
In addition to surgery and chemotherapy, Armstrong underwent brain surgery to remove two cancerous lesions.
Survival
Most solid tumor cancer types are virtually incurable once they have spread from their primary site.
Chance of Recurrence
Most recurrences of nonseminoma testicular cancer occur within the first two years following treatment.
With that said, there are rare occasions when cancer recurs decades after the original tumor was treated.
While this is uncommon, it can occur in anyone who has received chemotherapy.
Yet, it is important to point out that every person and every cancer is different.
In the end, the molecular characteristics of a tumor may influence outcomes more than other factors.
To this end, never assume the worst if you are diagnosed with testicular cancer.
2018;2018:2375176. doi:10.1155/2018/2375176
American Cancer Society.What is testicular cancer?
American Cancer Society.Testicular cancer stages.
American Cancer Society.Treatment options for testicular cancer, by jot down and stage.
StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
2014;16(2):285-9. doi:10.4103/1008-682X.122069
National Cancer Institute.Cancer stat facts: Testicular cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Second primary cancers.
National Cancer Institute.Testicular cancer treatment (PDQ)Health Professional Version.
Updated January 30, 2018.
