Wait-and-see policy in clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis.
Thirty-three patients with a non-seminomatous germ cell tumor of the testis in clinical stage I were treated only by orchidectomy. The very careful follow-up--with tumor marker assays every 3 weeks, chest X-rays every 6 weeks and CT-scans of the lungs and retroperitoneum every 3 months--revealed metastases in 7 of the patients (21%). All these relapses were diagnosed within 6 months of the orchidectomy. Para-aortic node metastases were found in 5 of the 7 patients, with additional inguinal node metastases in 1 and additional lung metastases in 1; 2 patients had only lung metastases. Six of the 7 patients with a relapse were given chemotherapy (PVB); 1 patient refused chemotherapy. In view of residual disease a surgical excision was performed; it revealed necrosis as well as mature teratoma. All 33 patients are still alive, the post-orchidectomy follow-up period being 12-38 months.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D009919:Orchiectomy; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents