The oncological outcomes and surveillance policy of testicular cancer: 6-year single center experience in Taiwan

Purpose: We investigated the treatment outcome of testicular cancer in Taiwan, given globally rise in incidence in recent decades.

Materials and Methods: From February 2010 to October 2015, we retrospectively collected patients with the confirmed diagnosis of testicular cancer. Clinical data, pathological details and treatment outcomes were analyzed by reviewing medical records.

Results: A total of 81 patients with testicular cancer were enrolled; 40 (49.4%) had seminoma and 41(50.6%) had non-seminoma germ cell cancer. The median age was 51 years old in seminoma and 30 years old in non-seminoma group. The median follow up period was 30 months (range 1 to 70).

The staging in seminoma group showed 36 (90%) stage I, 1 (2.5%) stage IS, 2 (5%) stage II and 1 (2.5%) stage III. The staging in non-seminoma group was 29 (70%) stage I, 4 (10%) stage IS, 3 (7%) stage II and 5 (12%) stage III. Approximately 97% of patients (35/36) with stage I seminoma and 90% (26/29) of patients with stage I non-seminoma accepted active surveillance. The overall recurrence rates were 12.5 % in seminoma and 31.7% in non-seminoma group. Only two patients in Non-seminoma group died of cancer. The 5-year recurrence free survival was 94.2% in seminoma and 84.2% in non-seminoma group. Five year overall survival yielded favorable results: 100% in seminoma and 94.2% in non-seminoma group.

Conclusion: Our study provided the latest evidence on oncological outcomes of testicular cancer. Active Surveillance in stage I testicular cancer yielded good prognosis and served as a treatment option.