Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.

An overview on several important developments in testicular germ cell tumors in the past year is provided.

Despite being highly treatable even in advanced stages, recent studies demonstrate that testicular germ cell tumor mortalities can vary significantly in different regions of the world, suggesting limited access to appropriate treatments in certain geographic regions. Several clinically relevant studies on the role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in early and advanced stages of disease, and chemotherapy, particularly high-dose chemotherapy in the first-line and salvage settings, were reported. Large databases on testicular cancer survivors were analyzed to further define potentially delayed toxicities of initial treatments for testicular germ cell tumors.

Significant challenges for poor-risk germ cell tumors remain. Treatment paradigms and follow-up strategies for the different stages of testicular germ cell tumors continue to be defined and refined, as research in these areas continues.

Written by
Tummala MK, Hussain A.

Reference
Curr Opin Oncol. 2008 May;20(3):287-93.

PubMed Abstract
PMID:18391628

UroToday.com Testicular Cancer Section

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