Testicular tumors: delay in diagnosis and influence on survival

Of 133 men with testicular abnormalities, 52 underwent orchiectomy within a month of symptoms, 41 delayed seeking medical advice and 40 were treated initially for conditions other than testicular cancer. Death occurred in 20 of the 89 patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors; in 16 of these, diagnosis had been delayed. Prompt diagnosis and treatment could reduce mortality from these neoplasms to less than 10 percent.