New cancer clinic first of its kind in Ireland

A pioneering Testicular Survivorship Clinic has been established at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) to research new treatments for patients with Testicular Cancer, reports Avery Lin.

Typically diagnosed among young men ages 15 through 35, the cancer is survived by the majority of patients with a high cure rate of 95%.

Yet according to recent studies, the disease is strongly linked to experiencing second cancers, cardiovascular events and psychological issues and thus higher rates of unemployment alongside disabilities, early deaths or suicide.

Therefore, in the effort to offer treatment and intervene early in the event of such complications, this new clinic is one of a number of studies currently being conducted in the U.S., U.K. and in Scandinavian countries.

The first and only one of its kind in Ireland, the clinic saw its first patient in October 2022 with 75 patients seen since.

The clinic aims to improve morbidity, or the conditions when suffering from the disease, as well as the mortality rates for the patients.

Patient meetings have currently involved examinations, blood tests and the conducting of targeted questionnaires.

Further tests, scans and follow-up treatment may be arranged if the initial screening produces suspicious findings.

Seeking to replicate this model in other centres, a stakeholder meeting at Cancer Trial Ireland in March 2023 led to agreements to establish similar clinics throughout Ireland.

The Cancer Trials Unit at TUH will maintain a central registry with information on the Testicular Cancer patients and their medical history from around the country.

Core team members of the clinic include Research Registrar Dr M. Raheel Khan, Medical Oncologist Professor Ray McDermott, and Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Oncology Patrice Sheehan.