Testicular germ cell tumors: biology and clinical update

Abstract

Purpose of review: This overview discusses several important developments in testicular germ cell tumors in the past year.

Recent findings: Genomic studies continue to investigate gene expression as possible markers for disease relapse and chemotherapy resistance. Optimal treatment strategies for early-stage seminomas are evolving toward surveillance versus chemotherapy and away from radiation, and the role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in disseminated nonseminomatous cancers in complete remission is becoming less certain.

Summary: Treatment and surveillance paradigms continue to be defined and refined for both early and late-stage disease as research in these areas continues and the data from multiple large studies mature.