Prognosis
With appropriate treatment, the vast majority of patients with seminoma or nonseminoma testicular cancer will be cured. If relapse occurs, multiagent chemotherapy still offers an opportunity for cure.
In the US, based on stage at diagnosis, the 5-year relative survival rates are:[13]
Localized disease: 99%
Regional disease: 96%
Distant disease: 72%
From outcomes in the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) prognostic model for men with metastatic disease (see Diagnostic criteria), updated estimates of 5-year overall survival probability in nonseminoma is 96% in the good prognostic group, 89% in the intermediate, and 67% in the poor prognostic group.[61] In patients with seminoma, the IGCCCG estimated 5-year overall survival probability is 95% for the good prognostic group and 88% for the intermediate prognostic group.[61]
Because curative treatment options exist for recurrent disease, a strict surveillance program must be followed to detect recurrent germ cell tumors early. During chemotherapy, the kinetics of tumor marker levels should be followed, given their prognostic value and use in risk-based treatment decisions.[104]
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