A retrospective and comparative analysis of survival in testicular non-germ cell tumors

Testicular cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men aged 15–35, predominantly comprising Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). However, less than 5% are classified as testicular non-germ cell tumors (TNGCTs), which are often overlooked despite their aggressive nature and poorer outcomes. The present study aimed to assess the prognosis of TNGCTs and assess the risks of death due to TNGCTs vs. non-cancer causes to provide an in-depth understanding of TNGCTs. We used The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database as our source of data for analysis. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method. A total of 1826 patients were identified. Our results suggested that TNGCTs had a significantly worse OS compared to TGCTs, with a hazard ratio of 7.85(95% CI 7.26–8.50). The five-year survival rate for patients with TNGCTs was approximately 50%, particularly for hematolymphoid tumors compared to the other tumor category in TNGCTs, with a HR of 1.79(95% CI 1.55–2.06). Hazards of TNGCTs-related death peaked at the beginning and diminished onward. Additionally, the risk of dying from other causes surpassed cancer-specific deaths approximately 4.5 years after diagnosis. TNGCTs bring great challenges in prognosis and management, emphasizing the need for awareness, appropriate follow-up strategies, and the development of effective treatment, especially for hematolymphoid tumors with the worst prognosis in TNGCTs.