Testicular cancer survivors may face other perils

By David Douglas

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While men with testicular cancer have a good chance of being cured, they may still not be out of danger, Norwegian researchers report.

"Though most patients with testicular cancer, even those with widespread disease, are today cured by multimodal treatment approaches, after 10 to 20 years, these cancer survivors are at increased risk to die from non-cancer causes such as infections, cardiovascular diseases and pulmonary disorders," Dr. Sophie D. Fossa told Reuters Health.

Using data from North America and Europe, covering 1943 to 2002, Fossa at the University of Oslo and colleagues identified 38,907 survivors of testicular cancer.

There were 2942 deaths from all non-cancer causes after an average follow-up of 10 years. Overall, this exceeded the expected rate in the general population by 6 percent, the team reports in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

"Compared with age-matched men from the general population, the risk is particularly high in those with the testicular cancer diagnosis before the age of 35," continued Fossa. In this group, the mortality rate was 23 percent higher than expected.

Fossa pointed out that if patients and their doctors are aware of this risk, they might reduce it "by lifestyle changes and regular health controls."

SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, April 4, 2007.