Student, 20, attends same college his IU Health oncologist attended

James Mattar, 20, was enjoying his college career when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

By TJ Banes, IU Health Senior Journalist, tfender1@iuhealth.org

James Mattar’s mom has a message: “If this can happen to ‘Doctor Mom,’ it can happen to anyone.”

Amy Kissinger, the mother of Mattar, and another son, 24, is also a doctor of internal medicine. She has raised her sons to be aware of their bodies, their physical health. So, when her youngest son was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer, she said she wants other young men to hear this: “The lesson to be learned for other young men is ‘get it checked.’”

Mattar, a 6’3” former high school basketball player is from Chicago, Ill. After high school graduation he went on to the University of Iowa, majoring in accounting. He was living his best life – a member of a college fraternity, playing intramural sports, making friends, and spending his summers teaching neighborhood children to play golf.

Earlier in his life, Mattar had been treated for a hernia and some benign cysts so when he felt a change in his testicle, he thought it was probably another benign cyst. He knew he had a physical coming up over Thanksgiving break, so he waited it out.

By October 2024, Mattar said was feeling sick.

“I had a weird vibe and with the bump in my testicle. I thought something might be wrong,” said Mattar. He went for an ultrasound and was told he has testicular cancer.

April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, a time to educate others about a disease that is diagnosed in one out of every 250 males. The average age of males first diagnosed is 33. The American Cancer Society reports about 9,720 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed this year.

Following his diagnosis, Mattar drove home to Chicago and has not returned to Iowa. When he learned the cancer had spread to his lungs, he completed four rounds of chemotherapy in Chicago and then came to IU Health Simon Cancer Center in February.

“Through my mom’s research we learned about Dr. Lawrence Einhorn and that IU Health Simon Cancer Center is the best in the country,” said Mattar, who was in his junior year of college.

Dr. Einhorn is known for successful treatment of testicular cancer - germ cell tumors - using a mix of high dose chemotherapies and peripheral stem cell transplant. Patients have traveled from throughout the country and the world for his specialized care.

Coincidentally, Dr. Einhorn also received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Iowa in 1965. He joined IU Health in 1973.

“Dr. Einhorn called me the Friday before Christmas to discuss my son’s case. That’s how kind and caring he is,” said Mattar’s mother.

At IU Health Simon Cancer Center Mattar completed two rounds of high dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. When he returned to Chicago, his mom said he was back out shooting hoops.

During Mattar’s recent hospital stay, nurse Lauren Fuqua administered his meds in between rests. Mattar said for the most part, he had lot of time alone to think: “Laying here has changed my perspective. After I get healthy, I don’t want to just live my life on just getting through day by day. I want to be grateful and enjoy my life every day.”