April 5, 2011 — "There is moderate certainty that screening for testicular cancer has no net benefit," according to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). That statement reaffirms its 2004 statement that recommends against screening for testicular cancer in adolescent or adult males.
This reaffirmation recommendation statement appears in the April 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
There has been no new evidence that has led to changes to the recommendation issued in 2004, according to the USPSTF, which was headed by Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, from The Colorado Trust in Denver.
The USPSTF recommendation against screening for testicular cancer is in line with the recommendations of other bodies, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Cancer Society (which dose not recommend testicular self-examination).
Relatively Rare Cancer
Primary germ cell tumors of the testis are the most common cancers found in males 15 to 34 years of age, the USPSTF notes. Despite this, it is relatively rare, compared with other cancers — the annual incidence is 5.4 cases per 100,000 males.
Most cases are discovered accidentally by patients or their partners, the USPSTF points out.
There is inadequate evidence that screening with a clinical examination or patient self-examination detects more cases or detects them at an earlier (and therefore more curable) stage, it continues.
The cure rate is more than 90%, regardless of the disease stage, the USPSTF notes. Management includes orchiectomy or other surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, depending on the disease stage and tumor type.
Even when testicular cancer is detected at an advanced stage, there is adequate evidence that the benefits of screening are "small to none," the USPSTF reports, because of the low incidence of this cancer and the favorable outcomes of treatment.
However, there might be harm from screening, including false-positive results, anxiety, and harm from diagnostic tests and procedures.
Hence, the USPSTF concludes that there is no net benefit to screening for testicular cancer.
This reaffirmation recommendation statement appears in the April 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
There has been no new evidence that has led to changes to the recommendation issued in 2004, according to the USPSTF, which was headed by Ned Calonge, MD, MPH, from The Colorado Trust in Denver.
The USPSTF recommendation against screening for testicular cancer is in line with the recommendations of other bodies, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Cancer Society (which dose not recommend testicular self-examination).
Relatively Rare Cancer
Primary germ cell tumors of the testis are the most common cancers found in males 15 to 34 years of age, the USPSTF notes. Despite this, it is relatively rare, compared with other cancers — the annual incidence is 5.4 cases per 100,000 males.
Most cases are discovered accidentally by patients or their partners, the USPSTF points out.
There is inadequate evidence that screening with a clinical examination or patient self-examination detects more cases or detects them at an earlier (and therefore more curable) stage, it continues.
The cure rate is more than 90%, regardless of the disease stage, the USPSTF notes. Management includes orchiectomy or other surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, depending on the disease stage and tumor type.
Even when testicular cancer is detected at an advanced stage, there is adequate evidence that the benefits of screening are "small to none," the USPSTF reports, because of the low incidence of this cancer and the favorable outcomes of treatment.
However, there might be harm from screening, including false-positive results, anxiety, and harm from diagnostic tests and procedures.
Hence, the USPSTF concludes that there is no net benefit to screening for testicular cancer.
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