Testicular cancer: innovations in diagnosis and treatment

We are fortunate at this point in time that testicular cancer is probably the most successfully treated solid tumor. Although many diagnostic tools are available, successful diagnosis still relies on suspicion, and to a great extent, physical findings. Staging techniques have greatly improved but they still have limitations. Through advances in the treatment of disease, the toxicity of the treatment regimens and the morbidity from surgery and chemotherapy have been much reduced. Recently, advances have been made that will most likely allow the majority of patients to maintain their fertility even though they require surgical staging and perhaps chemotherapy for their disease. We are fortunate that we are truly in the time where the emphasis can be placed on finding less extensive treatments and still maintaining the high success rates that are enjoyed in the treatment of this tumor. However, one note of caution needs to be sounded, that continued long-term observation and tabulation of the results will be necessary in order to monitor the efficacy of our reduced treatment schemes.