FIFTEEN-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF TESTICULAR NEOPLASM IN A REGIONAL CENTRE

Background:During a 15-year period from 1980 to 1995, 63 patients from the Geelong region of Victoria presented with germ cell neoplasm.

Methods: In this retrospective review performed by studying hospital records, treating specialists' notes and by telephone interviews, 61 of 63 patients were identified.

Results:A tumour incidence of four cases per 100 000 male population per year with an overall cancer-specific survival of 95% is demonstrated. Follow-up ranged from 18 months to 15 years. The incidence of seminoma was 30%; patients with seminoma presented at a later stage than those with non-seminoma.

Conclusions:The present study demonstrates the increasing incidence of testicular tumour in the Geelong region, and the excellent prognosis of this disease with management outside of the tertiary referral centre.