["Surveillance" of non-seminomatous testicular tumors. A prospective study of 100 patients in the first stage of illness].

In a prospective study, 100 patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular tumours were investigated by a surveillance policy, which consisted of regular follow-up after orchiectomy alone until disease progression was confirmed. Follow-up revealed that 65 of the 100 patients were free of disease at 25 to 90 months after orchiectomy. Disease progression was detected in 35 patients at 3 to 27 months following orchiectomy. Patients with progression were treated by PVB chemotherapy. Patients with non-seminomatous testicular tumours in clinical stage I represent a group which is not homogeneous and can therefore not be treated by means of a single modality. It is necessary to individually define optimal treatment based on prognostic factors. The surveillance policy is available in patients without risk factors and regular follow-up is mandatory. Multidisciplinary collaboration and cooperation with patients are essential.