Langetermijneffecten van de behandeling van patiënten met testiskanker: implicaties voor nazorg en follow-up

Testicular cancer is treatable. The current five-year survival rate is > 90%. Testicular cancer is usually diagnosed before the age of 40, and patients can live another 40 to 50 years after successful treatment. However, there is an increased risk of long-term and late effects of this treatment. Second primary malignancies and cardiovascular disease are the most common and potentially life-threatening. Others include nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, impaired fertility, hypogonadism, chronic fatigue and psychosocial problems. Little is known about the underlying mechanisms and the genetic susceptibility to the various side effects, which makes it difficult to identify patients at high risk of certain late effects. We present the current state of affairs regarding various long-term somatic and psychosocial effects after treatment and formulate recommendations for general medical evaluations, which should start at the start of treatment and continue after completion of treatment and follow-up.