Staging and prognostic factors in testicular cancer

Germ cell cancers of the testis are rare malignancies that occur most commonly in young adult male life. These malignancies are highly curable, and adoption of sophisticated treatment strategies, related to known prognostic-based variables, has resulted in overall cure rates of approximately 95% with acceptable morbidity. These treatment approaches require a thorough knowledge of the underlying pathology and patterns of tumour spread. In recent years a number of prognostic factor-based staging classifications have evolved, each of which can accurately predict prognosis. However, in 1997, an internationally agreed-upon consensus classification applicable to both seminoma and non-seminoma was published. This classification was well validated and has now been incorporated into the TNM and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging systems.