Testicular cancer can have a significant impact on men’s fertility. Understanding the disease’s possible influence on fertility is critical for persons who have been diagnosed, as well as their spouses, who may be considering having children.
Testicular cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the testicles grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor. While the specific origin is unknown, some risk factors, such as family history, undescended testicles, and genetic disorders, may enhance the chance of getting this disease. Symptoms may include a testicular bulge or swelling, discomfort or pain, and changes in size or form
One of the most important issues for males diagnosed with testicular cancer is its impact on fertility. Testicular cancer therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy can all have an influence on sperm production and quality. The surgical removal of the affected testicle may diminish sperm count, whereas chemotherapy and radiation therapy can destroy sperm cells and impair their capacity to fertilize an egg.
Men who want to protect their fertility before receiving cancer treatment might do so through sperm banking. Sperm banking is the preservation (or saving) of sperm by freezing so it may be used at some time in the future for artificial insemination or other assisted reproduction techniques like IVF or ICSI. This enables men to keep their reproductive choices open and pursue parenthood after completing cancer treatment.
However, it is important to note that the effect of testicular cancer on fertility varies from person to person. Some men may have short-term infertility after therapy, while others might suffer from lifelong sterility. The emotional and psychological toll of infertility can be severe, compounding the already difficult road of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Despite the possible difficulties, there are other fertility preservation methods for men with testicular cancer. Experimental approaches, such as testicular tissue freezing, are being researched as potential methods of maintaining fertility in cancer patients. Men should discuss these alternatives with their healthcare professionals early in the treatment process so that they may make informed choices regarding their reproductive future.
In conclusion, testicular cancer can influence men’s fertility. We can help men impacted by testicular cancer become parents by increasing awareness of the issue and giving access to fertility preservation methods. Fertility experts must address the reproductive concerns of men with testicular cancer and offer them the right support to manage this difficult part of their illness.
By Dr. Sreelakshmi Atluri, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVF Fertility, Vijayawada