title: Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis: radiologic follow-up after orchidectomy.
abstract: One hundred and forty-seven patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis were entered into a follow-up program after orchidectomy. Follow-up consisted of regular clinical examinations, estimations of the serum markers beta human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein, chest radiography, follow-up lymphangiography, and computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen. The criteria for the diagnosis of recurrence of disease were (a) a single abnormal node with elevated serum markers or positive cytologic aspirate, (b) a single enlarging node on serial studies in the absence of elevated markers, (c) multiple abnormal nodes, or (d) persistently elevated serum markers without abnormal radiologic findings. Thirty-seven patients experienced recurrence, 32 (86%) within the 1st year. Disease recurred most often in the abdomen alone (38%). CT scanning (76%) and marker estimations (68%) enabled detection of recurrent disease more often than chest radiography (22%) or lymphangiographic follow-up (13%). A strategy for follow-up based on these results is outlined.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008220:Lymphography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins