Controversies in the management of stage 1 non-seminomatous germ cell tumors.

Post-orchiectomy treatment for clinical stage 1 non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) remains highly debated. Cure rates for testicular germ cell tumors exceed 99 % in early stage disease despite the lack of consensus regarding post-orchiectomy treatment. The controversy relates to the challenge of identifying those patients with clinical stage 1 (CS 1) NSGCT who are most likely to benefit from adjuvant therapies. Established post-orchiectomy treatment options for CS 1 NSGCT include observation, adjuvant chemotherapy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Effective salvage therapies allow for cure rates which approach 100 % for each of these options. The data suggest that low-risk CS 1 NSGCT can be treated with surveillance and consideration for all three options is necessary for high-risk patients. The data show that high-risk patients are those whose disease pathology demonstrates lymphovascular invasion. The decision regarding post-orchiectomy treatment should be based on a discussion with the patient and the specific expertise of the treating institution.