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In general, testicular cancers respond well to chemotherapy (chemo). However, if cancer comes back after chemotherapy, one of the treatment choices is high-dose of chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant. 

General information

A stem cell transplant allows doctors to use higher doses of chemo safely. In the weeks before high-dose chemo treatment, a special machine collects stem cells from the patient's blood, which are then frozen and stored. Stem cells can also be obtained from the patient’s bone marrow, but this is done less often.

The patient then receives high doses of chemo. After chemo, the patient gets their stem cells back again. This is called a transplant, but it doesn’t involve surgery – the cells are infused into a vein much like a blood transfusion. The stem cells settle in the bone marrow and start making new blood cells over the next few weeks.

Current studies are looking at whether a stem cell transplant may be valuable as part of the first treatment for some patients with advanced germ cell testicular cancers.

Special considerations

High doses of chemotherapy could lead to life-threatening bleeding and other problems because of low blood cell counts.

Be sure you understand the possible benefits and risks. If the doctors think you might benefit from a stem cell transplant, it should be done at a hospital where the staff has experience with the procedure and with managing the recovery phase.

Stem cell transplants sometimes require a long hospital stay and can cost a lot. Even if your insurance covers the transplant, your co-pays or other costs could add up to a lot of money. Before deciding on a transplant, it's important to find out what your insurer will cover to get an idea of what you might have to pay. Typically, multiple cycles of high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell rescue are recommended.