Purpose: We report long-term paternity in men with stage I testis tumors who were managed initially by surveillance.
Patients and methods: One hundred five patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis were entered on a surveillance protocol and followed up for more than 10 years. Actual fertility potential was assessed by pregnancy.
Results: Of the 105 patients, 41 (39%) have fathered children, which includes 36 of 78 (46%) patients while on active surveillance and five of 27 (19%) patients after treatment for relapse. Of 63 couples who attempted a pregnancy on surveillance or were presumed capable of impregnation (whether they tried or not), 41 (65%) were successful.
Conclusion: These results show that the majority of men with stage I testis tumor who are on surveillance after orchiectomy, have a suitable partner, and attempt impregnation achieve a successful pregnancy. Pregnancy rates appear to be less than reported in men who have a nerve-sparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) because more patients on surveillance require treatment for relapse, which reduces their chances for pregnancy.