Purpose: Testis cancer is the most common solid malignancy in young males. The purpose of this guideline is to provide a useful reference on the effective evidence-based treatment of early stage testicular cancer.
Methods: The systematic review utilized to inform this guideline was conducted by a methodology team at the Johns Hopkins University Evidence-based Practice Center. The methodology team searched using PubMed®, Embase®, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from January 1980 through August 2018. The evidence review team also reviewed relevant systematic reviews and references provided by the panel to identify articles that may have been missed by the database searches.
Results: When sufficient evidence existed, the body of evidence was assigned a strength rating of A (high), B (moderate), or C (low). Such evidence-based statements are provided as Strong, Moderate, or Conditional Recommendations. In instances of insufficient evidence, additional guidance is provided as Clinical Principles and Expert Opinions.
Conclusions: This guideline attempts to improve a clinician's ability to evaluate and treat patients with testicular cancer, but higher quality evidence in future trials will be essential to improve level of care for these patients.
Keywords: carcinoma; embryonal; seminoma; teratoma; testicular neoplasms.