Prospective study of follow up alone in stage I teratoma of the testis.

In a prospective surveillance study of 45 patients with stage I teratoma of the testis 34 (76%) required no further treatment. Eleven patients relapsed but were salvaged by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Seven patients relapsed within three months of the initial assessment and only one after more than 12 months. These preliminary results suggest that a follow up policy in stage I teratoma of the testis is possible but only in a regional centre with facilities for close monitoring of patients.