Questions to Ask About Testicular Cancer

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Testicular Cancer: The Complete Checklist

Last updated and reviewed on June 28, 2026.

Getting a testicular cancer diagnosis brings a flood of questions, often at a moment when it is hard to think clearly. Writing down your questions before appointments, bringing a trusted person to take notes with you, and asking permission to record conversations on your phone can all help you hold onto the information you need. No question is too basic or too specific to ask. Your care team wants you to understand your diagnosis and your treatment, and an informed patient is almost always a better partner in care.

The questions below are organized by the topic they relate to, so you can use them as a starting point and add your own as they come to mind.

Second opinions are always appropriate. Testicular cancer treatment has a few key decision points, particularly around the choice between surveillance, chemotherapy, and surgery for Stage I disease, and around salvage treatment for relapsed disease, where the experience level of the treating center matters. If you have any uncertainty about the recommendations you are receiving, asking for a second opinion from a specialist at a high-volume testicular cancer center is entirely reasonable and often very useful.

Questions About Your Testicular Cancer Diagnosis

• What type of testicular cancer do I have? Is it a seminoma, a nonseminoma, or a mixed germ cell tumor? If it is a nonseminoma, which specific subtypes are present?
• What were the results of my tumor marker tests before surgery (AFP, hCG, and LDH)?
• What did the pathology report from my orchiectomy show? Was there lymphovascular invasion? Did the tumor extend into the spermatic cord, the epididymis, or the outer covering of the testicle?
• What is my overall stage?
• What is my IGCCCG risk group if I have metastatic disease?
• What imaging has been done to assess whether the cancer has spread? Were any enlarged lymph nodes or metastases found?
• Are there any additional tests or imaging that need to be completed before a final treatment plan is made?
• Should I get a second opinion about my diagnosis and staging at a high-volume testicular cancer center?

Questions to Ask About Testicular Cancer Treatment

• What are all of my treatment options given my tumor type and stage?
• What treatment do you recommend, and why?
• For Stage I disease: What are the pros and cons of surveillance versus adjuvant chemotherapy versus RPLND for my specific situation? What are the relapse rates and the cure rates for each approach?
• If surgery is recommended: What type of surgery and what does recovery look like? Is nerve-sparing RPLND possible? Would a testicular prosthesis be an option if I want one?
• If chemotherapy is recommended: What is the specific regimen, how many cycles, and what are the most likely side effects?
• How will my tumor markers be monitored during and after treatment, and what does it mean if they do not fall as expected?
• What are the short-term and long-term side effects of the recommended treatment?
• Will treatment affect my fertility? Should I bank sperm before starting?
• Will treatment affect my testosterone levels? How will this be monitored?
• Are there clinical trials I should consider?
• What is the plan if the cancer does not respond to first-line treatment?

Questions to Ask About Follow-Up Care

• What does my follow-up schedule look like after treatment ends?
• How often will I need blood tests, imaging, and clinic visits?
• What are the signs of recurrence that I should watch for between scheduled appointments?
• How long is recurrence most likely to happen, and when does the risk become low enough to reduce the frequency of monitoring?
• What are the potential long-term effects of my treatment that I should be aware of?
• Should I be monitoring my cardiovascular risk factors because of the chemotherapy I received?
• Should I have my testosterone checked periodically, and how do I know if it is low?
• Who should I contact if I notice a new scrotal change or other concerning symptom?
• Will I need long-term monitoring for hearing changes or peripheral neuropathy if I received cisplatin?
• Can I get a written survivorship care plan that summarizes my diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up schedule?

Questions to Ask About Clinical Trials

• Are there any clinical trials currently open that are relevant to my diagnosis and stage?
• Is this a situation where a clinical trial might give me access to something meaningfully better than standard treatment, or is standard treatment already highly effective for my situation?
• What phase is the trial in, and what is it trying to find out?
• What treatment would I receive if I joined? What would I receive if I were in the standard care arm?
• How does this trial compare to what I would receive if I were not in it?
• What are the possible risks and side effects of the experimental treatment?
• How many additional visits, tests, or time commitments would the trial require?
• What costs does the trial sponsor cover, and what will my insurance be expected to pay?
• Can I continue to be seen at my local center while enrolled in a trial at a different institution?
• What happens if I want to leave the trial?

Questions to Ask About Coping and Support

• Are there oncology social workers, psychologists, or counselors at this center who specialize in helping cancer patients?
• Are there testicular cancer-specific support groups, either in person or online, that you would recommend?
• What resources are available to help me talk to my partner, family, or friends about my diagnosis?
• Are there resources specifically for young men or young adults with cancer at this center?
• What support is available for my partner or family members?
• What financial assistance programs are available if I am having trouble with the costs of treatment?
• How do I bank sperm, and when do I need to do this before treatment begins?
• If I am concerned about my fertility after treatment, who should I talk to?
• What resources are available for long-term survivors of testicular cancer who want ongoing support?
• What is the best way to reach your team quickly if I have new symptoms or urgent concerns between appointments?

Sources:

1. American Cancer Society. Talking With Your Doctor About Testicular Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/testicular-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/talking-with-doctor.html
2. National Cancer Institute. Testicular Cancer Treatment (PDQ) Patient Version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/testicular/patient/testicular-treatment-pdq