A Systematic Review Investigating the Difference between 1 Cycle versus 2 Cycles of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage I Testicular Germ Cell Cancers

Abstract

Standard care for stage I testicular germ cell cancers (seminomatous—STC or non-seminomatous—NSTC) is orchiectomy followed by active surveillance, 1 or 2 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy. The decision on the adjuvant therapeutic approach is guided by the associated risk factors of the patient and the potential related toxicity of the treatment. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal number of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles. Although in terms of overall survival, there is no proven inconsistency regarding the number of cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy, and the rate of relapse may vary.

Keywords

• stage I testicular germ cell cancers
• seminomatous—STC
• non-seminomatous—NSTC