[Aftercare in testicular cancer is worthwhile. Recurrences are curable].
Patients with germ cell tumours of the testis can have an extremely favourable chance of cure when compared to other malignancies. Therapeutic problems may arise with recurrent disease. High tumour burden can result when relapses are diagnosed too late and the prognosis will deteriorate, consecutively, even in spite of intensified therapeutic endeavours. Apart from early detection of recurrent disease, the follow-up schedule of germ cell cancer aims to identify and manage treatment-related morbidities, e.g. vascular problems and second neoplasms, respectively. Follow-up examinations should be tailored to the individual situation taking into account the particular risk of relapse based on histology, stage and treatment previously applied. In light of the rarity of the disease and according to the complexity of managing this malignancy, follow-up should be conducted by particularly experienced institutions.
Pottek
T S
TS
Abteilung Urologie, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus, Hamburg. topot@t-online.de
Dieckmann
K-P
KP
D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome