Men who survive testicular cancer face an increased risk of developing a second cancer for at least 35 years after treatment, and young patients may face increasing levels of risk as they get older, according to the largest study to date of testicular cancer survivors. Ten-year survivors who had been diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 35 had twice the risk of developing a second cancer as someone in the general population - and this risk remained elevated for 35 years. Patients diagnosed at younger ages faced higher risks than those diagnosed at older ages. Testicular cancer primarily affects young men and is largely curable, but second cancers arising from the late side effects of treatment - especially radiotherapy - are a leading cause of death among survivors. Cancers of the bladder, colon, lung, pancreas, and stomach accounted for 60 percent of those reported, according to findings in the September 21 Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI). Dr. Lois B. Travis, of NCI, and her colleagues examined data from more than 40,000 survivors from tumor registries in Europe and North America, and identified a total of 2,285 second solid cancers. They found for the first time significant excesses of malignant mesothelioma and esophageal cancer, likely reflecting the past use of chest radiotherapy. The researchers note that despite the risks of second cancers, it is clear that "the remarkable gains in survival provided by treatments for testicular cancer far outweigh the risk of this serious late effect." In the July 20 JNCI, Dr. Travis and her colleagues reported that the long-term risk of testicular cancer patients developing a second cancer in the opposite (contralateral) testicle is very low. Source: NCI Cancer Bulletin, September 20, 2005 • Volume 2 / Number 36 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.