Outcomes of Surveillance Protocol of Clinical Stage I Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumors—Is Shift to Risk Adapted Policy Justified?

Abstract

In light of our results we suggest that all patients with vascular invasion should receive chemotherapy. However, patients with no risk factors and those with more than 50% embryonal carcinoma but without vascular invasion should be on surveillance after orchiectomy since the relapse rate is less than 30%. Although strict followup in the first year is justified, followup schemas may be reassessed for the frequency of radiological investigations.