In patients with Stage I seminoma who elect surveillance, how long do you recommend that tumor markers be followed?
Indefinitely seems to be a typical recommendation, but rarely done.
Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Academic Institution
I agree with @Craig R. Nichols that the data is vague. I would add the following: in series where patients are regularly re-staged with CT scans, serum tumor markers add essentially nothing. So if one follows the Princess Margaret Hospital schedule and gets scans every four months for the first 2 to...
Answer from: Medical Oncologist at Community Practice
Data around this is very fuzzy. After 5 years, the recurrence rate is probably about 1% or so, and it would be difficult to justify any testing. Usually after 5 years, I offer that the patient can be remanded to their primary care doctor. I offer to see them once a year thereafter if they desire.
Comments
Radiation Oncologist at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center If we assume tumor markers or scans have a ~99% se...
Medical Oncologist at Testicular Cancer Commons In my practice, I usually cut patients loose at 5 ...