Abstract
Testicular cancer is the most frequent tumor in young males aged 15–39 years. As cure rates are currently around 90%, the prevalence of survivors is increasing. However, a disease-free condition does not necessarily correspond to a life free of physical and psychosocial health problems. The aim of this review was to explore psychosocial morbidity among testicular cancer survivors. A literature search was conducted in three electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, and Embase). The results of the search on cancer survivors were then combined with those of the search on psychosocial concerns and work performance. Eighty-four publications met the inclusion criteria. Physical, psychological, work-related problems and changing perspectives about work and life in general influenced life and career decisions among testicular cancer survivors. Individual health, sexual relationships and work problems, affect several important aspects of survival and significantly influence the QoL of long-term survivors.
Highlights
Testicular cancer (TC), which represents 1% of male tumors, is the most frequent tumor in young males aged 15–39 years, and its incidence is increasing worldwide [1].The most frequent histology is germ cell tumor: there are several subgroups of germ cell tumors: Seminoma (Pure, Spermatocytic), Embryonal Carcinoma, Choriocarcinoma, Yolk Sac Tumor, Teratoma
It has been seen that the quality of life of TC survivors (TCSs) can be compromised by some disease-related health issues and physical limitations [30]
Anxiety about follow-up diagnostic tests and cancer recurrence are known to be very common in cancer survivors and to persist a long time after the end of treatments [34, 35], despite the good prognosis for TC and the rarity of late recurrence (1–4% of cases) [36, 37]
Summary
Testicular cancer (TC), which represents 1% of male tumors, is the most frequent tumor in young males aged 15–39 years, and its incidence is increasing worldwide [1].The most frequent histology is germ cell tumor (which represents 90–95% of cases): there are several subgroups of germ cell tumors: Seminoma (Pure, Spermatocytic), Embryonal Carcinoma, Choriocarcinoma, Yolk Sac Tumor, Teratoma (mature, immature, with malignant component). Testicular cancer (TC), which represents 1% of male tumors, is the most frequent tumor in young males aged 15–39 years, and its incidence is increasing worldwide [1]. Some epidemiological risk factors has been detected: cryptorchidism, hypospadias, decreased spermatogenesis, familial history, or personal history of contralateral TC Overall, this is often a treatable tumor, but prognosis and mortality depend on the risk categories defined by the 1997 International Germ Cell Consensus Classification (Table 1) [2]. TC can be cured by surgery, in case of localized disease, or by chemotherapy, in case of metastatic disease. As cure rates for TC are currently around 90%, the prevalence of TC survivors (TCSs) is increasing and their life expectancy is considered comparable to that of the age-matched male general population [4, 5]. A disease-free condition does not necessarily correspond to a life free of physical and psychosocial health problems
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