Complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Nausea and vomiting are the most commonly seen side effects of chemotherapeutic agents. Chemotherapy also causes pain, weak immunity, mouth sores hair loss, neuropathy, rashes, fatigue, risk of infections, anemia, loss of appetite, and there is long term effects on bones. Radiotherapy can lead to skin changes such as erythema, pigmentation, mild edema itching, ulceration, blistering, dry desquamation, and serous drainage; it can also cause fibrotic changes, telangiectasia, fatigue, and mild myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression).
It is possible to diagnose testicular cancer by relying on tumor markers such as alpha-fetoprotein produced by yolk sac tumors and beta hCG produced by seminomas, choriocarcinoma, and mixed tumors. However, teratomas are negative for any tumor marker. The staging and extent of the tumor are determined by computerized tomography and other radiological modalities. A biopsy is contraindicated because of the risk of seeding of the tumor to the surrounding tissues. Differential diagnoses include varicocele, epididymal-orchitis, hydrocele, hematocele, hernia (very common with an undescended testicle), and gumma due to syphilis of the testis.