CTF Summary Table: Screening for testicular cancer

Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

Summary Table of Recommendations

Please note: In 2003, the CTF updated its Grades of Recommendations to include an "I Recommendation" for situations where insufficient evidence exists to allow a recommendation to be made. (Formerly, these situations were captured under a "C Recommendation".) This change is not retroactive, and all "C Recommendations" made prior to 2003 have not been reevaluated in light of the new "I" recommendation grade. For a discussion of these recommendation grades, please link to the 2003 article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal here.

Screening for Testicular Cancer

Adapted to the Canadian context by R. Wayne Elford, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Professor and Director of Research and Faculty Development, Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, from the report prepared for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

These recommendations were finalized by the Task Force in January 1994

MANEUVER EFFECTIVENESS LEVEL OF EVIDENCE <REF> RECOMMENDATION

Routine examination of testes either by physician or by patient self-examination. General Population
No studies of screening for testicular cancer have been performed. Expert opinion <20> (III) Insufficient evidence to include or exclude from the periodic examination. (C)
Insufficient evidence to include or exclude but it may be prudent to follow high-risk individuals with regular physician examinations. (C)

Selected Population* Inform of increased risk and educate regarding screening options. Expert Opinion <20> (III)

Tumor markers such as alpha fetoprotein or chorionic gonadotropin. Useful in monitoring non-seminomatous cancer (infrequent type of testicular cancer). Expert opinion <9,10> (III) There is fair evidence to exclude from periodic health examination. (D)

* Selected populations - cryptorchidism, testicular atrophy, ambiguous genitalia.

Link to Full Text of this review

Link to Structured Abstract of this review

Link to Selected References list of this review

Top of Page

CTFPHC Home Page

Reprinted in modified format by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care
with permission.
Original Copyright © 1994 Minister of Supply and Services Canada.
For any technical issues please contact: webmaster@ctfphc.org
Last modified March 27, 1998.

MANEUVER	EFFECTIVENESS	LEVEL OF EVIDENCE <REF>	RECOMMENDATION
Routine examination of testes either by physician or by patient self-examination.	General Population No studies of screening for testicular cancer have been performed.	Expert opinion <20> (III)	Insufficient evidence to include or exclude from the periodic examination. (C) Insufficient evidence to include or exclude but it may be prudent to follow high-risk individuals with regular physician examinations. (C)
	Selected Population* Inform of increased risk and educate regarding screening options.	Expert Opinion <20> (III)
Tumor markers such as alpha fetoprotein or chorionic gonadotropin.	Useful in monitoring non-seminomatous cancer (infrequent type of testicular cancer).	Expert opinion <9,10> (III)	There is fair evidence to exclude from periodic health examination. (D)