Testis cancer: Assessment and management.

Abstract

* Patients with testis cancer usually present with a painless, hard, swollen mass in the testis. * Initial investigations comprise testicular ultrasonography and assessment of the tumour markers beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein. * Once testis cancer has been diagnosed patients should be referred to a urologist for staging investigations and surgical orchidectomy. * After orchidectomy, patients with stage 1 non-seminomatous tumours usually undergo surveillance, while those with stage 1 seminomas usually undergo adjuvant radiotherapy. * The use of cisplatin has revolutionised the treatment of metastatic testis cancer. * Survival rates for patients with early disease approach 100% and for those with advanced disease range from 70 to 95%.