Higher Risk of Testis Failure after Radiotherapy Treatment for Testicular Cancer

Abstract

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are prevalent in males of reproductive age. Among the available therapeutic choices, pelvic radiotherapy (RT) and simple surveillance (SURV) are usually pursued. However, RT is considered to have lifethreatening effects on testicular functions. In this study we sought to clarify this issue by evaluating sperm parameters and sex hormones in 131 TGCTs RT-treated-patients at both baseline (T0) and 12 (T1) and 24 months (T2) of follow-up. An agematched group of 61 SURV patients served as control. Sperm parameters were comparable between SURV and RT at T0.