Evidence-based guidelines for following stage 1 seminoma.

BACKGROUND: The authors developed evidence-based guidelines for a follow-up schedule after orchiectomy for stage 1 seminoma. Required investigations, frequency of assessment, overall duration of follow-up, and management strategies were identified.

METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed of prospective studies in stage 1 seminoma. Studies published after 1980 were considered eligible for inclusion. Data extracted included relapse-free rates, number of patients at risk, and relapse locations. Five strategies were identified: Surveillance, Extended-Field Radiotherapy, Para-aortic Radiotherapy, and either 1 or 2 cycles of Carboplatin Chemotherapy. For each strategy, Kaplan-Meier relapse-free estimates were used to calculate weighted-mean cumulative hazards of relapse over time. These were used to calculate semiannual weighted-mean relapse hazards.

RESULTS: Seventeen prospective studies with a total of 5561 patients were identified. Actuarial data on relapse was available in 5013 (90.1%) patients, and 92.9% of all relapses had location data reported. Annual hazard rates for relapse were determined.

CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based recommendations for follow-up frequency based on risk of relapse were formulated. The authors suggested 3 times per year when the risk is >5%, 2 times per year when the risk is 1% to 5%, and annually until the risk is <0.3%. Investigations should reflect location(s) at risk of relapse and include computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis for surveillance and adjuvant carboplatin, whereas for para-aortic radiotherapy, pelvic computed tomography alone is required. These recommendations offer the possibility of maximal patient convenience and optimal healthcare resource allocation without compromising disease control.