The CT scan did not show any visible spread of the cancer. This significantly improves the outlook.

A CT scan was quickly performed after my diagnosis to determine the extent of the spread. Testicular cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in a very predictable manner. If the spread is significant, it can be observed through a CT scan of the pelvis, abdomen, and chest.

While a CT scan can definitively show if and how far cancer has spread, it unfortunately cannot prove that the cancer has not spread. Determining if the cancer has spread ends up being a statistical question that heavily relies on the pathology report after the surgery. Regardless, I’m very lucky to have caught it as quickly as I did. Many people end up discovering they have testicular cancer only once they are symptomatic. By this time the cancer has spread substantially. This leads to a more intense chemotherapy regimen and potentially additional surgeries. A clean CT scan means that I will likely require less chemotherapy with reduced side effects.