Testicular cancer survivorship: research strategies and recommendations.

Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)

Testicular cancer represents the most curable solid tumor, with a 10-year survival rate of more than 95%. Given the young average age at diagnosis, it is estimated that effective treatment approaches, in particular, platinum-based chemotherapy, have resulted in an average gain of several decades of life. This success, however, is offset by the emergence of considerable long-term morbidity, including second malignant neoplasms, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity, hypogonadism, decreased fertility, and psychosocial problems. Data on underlying genetic or molecular factors that might identify those patients at highest risk for late sequelae are sparse. Genome-wide association studies and other translational molecular approaches now provide opportunities to identify testicular cancer survivors at greatest risk for therapy-related complications to develop evidence-based long-term follow-up guidelines and interventional strategies. We review research priorities identified during an international workshop devoted to testicular cancer survivors. Recommendations include 1) institution of lifelong follow-up of testicular cancer survivors within a large cohort setting to ascertain risks of emerging toxicities and the evolution of known late sequelae, 2) development of comprehensive risk prediction models that include treatment factors and genetic modifiers of late sequelae, 3) elucidation of the effect(s) of decades-long exposure to low serum levels of platinum, 4) assessment of the overall burden of medical and psychosocial morbidity, and 5) the eventual formulation of evidence-based long-term follow-up guidelines and interventions. Just as testicular cancer once served as the paradigm of a curable malignancy, comprehensive follow-up studies of testicular cancer survivors can pioneer new methodologies in survivorship research for all adult-onset cancer.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Travis, LB; Beard, C; Allan, JM; Dahl, AA; Feldman, DR; Oldenburg, J; Daugaard, G; Kelly, JL; Dolan, ME; Hannigan, R; Constine, LS; Oeffinger, KC; Okunieff, P; Armstrong, G; Wiljer, D; Miller, RC; Gietema, JA; van Leeuwen, FE; Williams, JP; Nichols, CR; Einhorn, LH; Fossa, SD

Published Date

  • August 4, 2010

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 102 / 15

Start / End Page

  • 1114 - 1130

PubMed ID

  • 20585105

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC2914759

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1460-2105

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1093/jnci/djq216

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States