CT Scans in Surveillance of Stage I Nonseminomatous Testicular Cancers

Patients who present with clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCT) in the U.S. typically are offered retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) or surveillance, although use of adjuvant chemotherapy is rising. Regardless of approach, the cure rate in these patients is >95%. The choice of treatment strategy is driven largely by prognostic factors that predict the likelihood of occult pathologic nodal involvement. For patients who undergo surveillance, typical follow-up during the first year includes monthly assessment of tumor markers and computed tomography scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis every 3 months. During the second year, tumor markers usually are evaluated bimonthly, and CT scans are repeated at 4-month in…