title: Important factors in the diagnosis and primary staging of testicular tumours.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present review we outline the use of different staging methods and highlight future possibilities in the management of testicular germ cell cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 5-year survival for testicular cancer has improved dramatically over the past 30 years, with cure rates approaching 95%. This success is attributed to the appropriate integration of effective treatments and staging modalities. Staging currently represents the cornerstone on which treatment is based. Because most patients will be cured, attention has shifted toward reducing morbidity of treatment while maintaining high cure rates. This implies that staging must be accurate before any change to the treatment regimen can be instituted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective management of testicular germ cell cancer continues to pose a major challenge. Early and accurate diagnosis is very important because it will influence the choice of treatment and thus may impact on prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. R.Spermon@uro.azn.nl
authors.forename: J Roan
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Spermon
authors.forename: Frans M J
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Debruyne
authors.forename: J Alfred
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Witjes
mesh_terms: D018237:Germinoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012307:Risk Factors; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy