Our Approach & Expertise

Sidney Kimmel Center for Prostate & Urologic Cancers Our state-of-the-art outpatient facility offers comprehensive care more

Our Genitourinary Disease Management Team focuses on cancers of the testes, prostate, bladder, kidney, and related organs. The team includes more than 40 board-certified doctors with specialties in urology and urologic surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology, radiology, anesthesiology, psychiatry, and nutrition. The team is recognized worldwide for its strength in diagnosing and treating tumors of the genitourinary organs.

Here are some of the published studies that discuss the outcomes of patients who have been treated here at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center:

• Kondagunta GV, Bacik J, Donadio A, Bajorin D, Marion S, Sheinfeld J, Bosl G, Motzer RJ. Paclitaxel, Ifosfamide and Cisplatin is an Effective Second-line Therapy for Patients with Relapsed Testicular Germ Cell Tumors, J Clin Oncol. 2005 Sep 20;23(27):6549-55. [PubMed Abstract]

• Carver BS, Motzer RJ, Kondagunta GV, Sogani PG, Sheinfeld J. Late Relapse of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Urologic Oncology, 2005. [PubMed Abstract]

• Carver BS, Sheinfeld J. Germ Cell Tumors of the Testis. Annals Surg Oncol, 2005. [PubMed Abstract]

• Stephenson AJ, Bosl GJ, Motzer RJ, Kattan MW, Stasi J, Bajorin DF, Sheinfeld J. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for nonseminomatous germ cell testicular cancer: impact of patient selection factors on outcome. J Clin Oncol. 2005 Apr 20;23(12):2781-8. [PubMed Abstract]

• Reuter VE. Origins and molecular biology of testicular germ cell tumors. Mod Pathol. 2005 Feb;18 Suppl 2:S51-60. Review. [PubMed Abstract]

In addition, a number of studies point to a correlation between the number of testicular cancer patients treated at a center and the patient's outcome.

• In a study of "poor prognosis" patients with metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, institutions treating a large number of patients had overall survival that was statistically better than institutions at which few patients with this cancer were treated.
  [J Natl Cancer Inst 1999;91:839]

• In a study conducted by investigators at the National Cancer Institute, men with testicular cancer treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering had a higher survival rate than testicular cancer patients reported in the population-based SEER cancer registry.
  [J Clin Oncol 1994;12:368]

• The Swedish Norwegian Testicular Cancer Project showed that patients with advanced testicular cancer who were treated in a single large oncology unit had a survival advantage over patients treated in smaller units.
  [J Clin Oncol 1991;9:818]

• The West of Scotland Health Board reported patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors who were treated at a high volume referral center had a significantly better survival than patients treated at low volume centers. They concluded that centralization of treatment improved outcome.
  [Lancet 1993;341:999]

Many elements contribute to a germ cell tumor patient's response to cancer treatment, and no two patients' situations are exactly the same. Blood marker levels, tumor characteristics, the site at which the germ cell tumor starts, and the sites to which the disease has spread are a few of the issues that affect the outcome of treatment. But it's also important to recognize that another important influence on the results of treatment is the depth of experience of the physician and the hospital.

Our doctors have established and refined innovative treatments for patients with both early tumors and late-stage tumors. The use of appropriately integrated surgery and chemotherapy has resulted in 15-year survival rates that exceed 93 percent. Consequently, long-term quality-of-life issues are important considerations in the selection of a treatment for individuals with the disease. Some men can be cured by surgery alone. These patients can avoid the toxic effects of drugs and radiation treatments that are not a necessary part of their treatment.

Important studies by our physicians have identified key prognostic criteria based on the biology of the tumor and substances known as tumor markers that are found and measured in the blood - ensuring that each man treated receives individualized treatment. This new staging classification allows low-risk patients to be treated successfully with a less toxic chemotherapy regimen, and high-risk patients to be treated with high-dose chemotherapy earlier in the course of their disease.

A common operation in the management of testicular cancer is a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (a surgical procedure in which potentially cancerous lymph nodes are removed from the back section of the abdomen, known as the retroperitoneum). Previously, this operation resulted in the loss of normal ejaculatory function due to the disruption of involved nerves. Over the past decade, Memorial Sloan-Kettering surgeons have refined nerve-sparing procedures to preserve both ejaculatory function and fertility potential in the majority of patients.

Find a Clinical Trial Find out about new research studies for testicular cancer more

We are also conducting clinical trials for initial treatment of intermediate- and high-risk patients. In our ongoing effort to find more effective treatments for testicular cancer, our physicians are investigating dose-intensive therapy and new agents, evaluating new chemotherapy combinations for patients with relapsing or resistant disease, and studying molecular targets of drug resistance.

MYMSKCC Patient Portal Learn how you can access information about your care go

Memorial Sloan-Kettering has developed a secure Web site -- called MYMSKCC -- for Kimmel Center patients to access personalized information about their care. Patients who voluntarily enroll to use MYMSKCC can view and keep track of appointments; make changes to contact and insurance information; send and receive e-mail messages to and from their nurse; and view hospital bills.

To enroll in or learn more about MYMSKCC, please ask a session assistant in clinic or contact your physician's office.