Second Malignant Neoplasms in Testicular Cancer Survivors

Second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) are a potentially life-threatening late effect of testicular cancer (TC) and its therapy. Although the increased risk for developing solid tumors among TC survivors is largely attributed to radiotherapy, chemotherapy may also be associated with excess risks. However, the baseline risks of developing site-specific SMNs in TC survivors have not yet been quantified, nor have interactions between treatments and other risk factors been elucidated. Studies to date report overall relative risks ranging from 1.4- to 2.8-fold for SMN in TC survivors, with significantly elevated risks apparent for more than 35 years. Analytic investigations show relationships between increasing radiation dose and/or field size and solid tumor risk. Small excess risks of leukemia follow treatment with either chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Recently, concern has been expressed about the increased risk of SMN from radiation exposure during imaging surveillance for recurrence. A small number of studies have examined this issue, generating inconclusive results. Given the current changes in TC treatment that result in lower radiation doses, in the future solid tumors will likely have a considerably lower impact on the lives of TC survivors, although diligent follow-up will be required to accurately quantify long-term risks and to ascertain risks associated with chemotherapy. (JNCCN 2012;10:545-556)