Delay in treatment of testicular tumours in the Army

Modern drug treatment, added to our previous experience of surgery and radiotherapy, is currently producing nearly 90% cure of all patients with testicular tumours. Most of the failures of treatment today occur in patients with a large mass of diseased tissue which has accumulated due to delayed diagnosis. A retrospective study of 23 Servicemen with testicular tumours, treated at the QEMH Woolwich, shows that the blame for this delay is shared by the patient, his medical practitioner, and surprisingly enough the hospital specialist. Recommendations for improvement are discussed.