Management of Stage I–II Testicular Germ Cell Tumours: Current Treatment Paradigm and Future Perspectives

Authors

  • Deepro Chowdhury, MD, FRCPC Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology
  • Rachel Glicksman, MD, MSC, FRCPC Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Department of Radiation Oncology
  • Robert J. Hamilton, MD, MPH, FRCSC Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Department of Urology
  • Di Maria Jiang, MD, MSc, FRCPC Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58931/cot.2025.2238

Abstract

Testicular cancer is the most common solid tumour in males aged 15–44 years, with an estimated 1,300 new cases in Canada in 2024. Over 90% are germ cell tumours (GCTs) originating from spermatocyte precursors, with most arising in the testes. Risk factors include cryptorchidism, gonadal dysgenesis, genetic syndromes such as Klinefelter syndrome, family history, and possibly cannabis use.

This review summarizes the evidence‑based diagnosis and management strategies of clinical stage I (CSI) and II (CSII) testicular GCTs used at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM), highlighting potential clinical pitfalls and future directions.

Author Biographies

Deepro Chowdhury, MD, FRCPC, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology

Dr. Deepro Chowdhury is a clinical research fellow in genitourinary and thoracic malignancies at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. He graduated from Carleton University with a combined honours in Humanities and Biology before pursuing his medical degree at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine in Hamilton, Ontario. He completed his internal medicine and medical oncology residencies at the University of Ottawa. His research interests include real-world evidence analyses as well as the use of biomarkers to guide clinical decision-making. He was awarded a Hold’Em For Life Grant to explore the use of circulating tumour DNA to guide clinical decision-making in advanced urothelial cancer.

Rachel Glicksman, MD, MSC, FRCPC, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Department of Radiation Oncology

Dr. Rachel Glicksman is a Radiation Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Glicksman received her MD degree from Queen's University, MSc degree from University of Toronto and completed residency at the University of Toronto.

Robert J. Hamilton, MD, MPH, FRCSC, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Department of Urology

Dr. Hamilton is a urologic oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery (Urology) at the University of Toronto, Canada. His clinical and research interests are in prostate cancer and testicular cancer. In prostate cancer, he is exploring the role of pharmacogenomics to personalize chemoprevention, with a particular interest in statin medications. He also has interests in oligometastatic disease and molecular imaging modalities. In testicular cancer his interests include novel biomarkers and studying means to minimize treatment morbidity. Dr. Hamilton trained at the University of Toronto; completed a Masters of Public Health at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a research fellowship at Duke University. He completed a fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre.

Di Maria Jiang, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology

Dr. Maria Jiang is a GU medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Center (PM) and an Assistant Professor at University of Toronto. She received her Medical Oncology Residency in Toronto, fellowship at PM, and Master of Science degree in Clinical Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. Her research interest includes the use of targeted therapies in GU malignancies. Dr. Jiang has received multiple research grant awards and is developing several investigator initiated trials. She has also received the Medical Oncology Training Program outstanding teaching award, nominated by residents.​

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2025-08-14

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Chowdhury, D., Glicksman, R., Hamilton, R. J., & Jiang, D. M. (2025). Management of Stage I–II Testicular Germ Cell Tumours: Current Treatment Paradigm and Future Perspectives. Canadian Oncology Today, 2(2), 37–50. https://doi.org/10.58931/cot.2025.2238

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Volume 2, Issue 2, Summer 2025

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