The role of primary RPLND in clinical stage IIA/B testicular germ cell tumor: a narrative review

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) plays a critical role in the multidisciplinary management of advanced testicular cancer. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens have been the cornerstone of treatment for these patients. Long-term toxicity and secondary malignancy in patients receiving cisplatin, along with surgical advancements, have encouraged providers to revisit the role of primary RPLND for patients with stage IIA/B germ cell tumor. Nerve-sparing primary RPLND offers durable oncologic outcomes without the long-term comorbidities associated with chemotherapy. The focus of this review is to summarize the published data on primary RPLND for stage IIA/B germ cell tumors, to identify the ideal patient population for this treatment modality, and to explore the future of surgical advancements.