As per an analysis published in the Clinical Cancer Research Journal, a test has been developed that can identify patients who are at an increased risk of facing a relapse from testicular cancer. The test developed by researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research is able to detect the risk even if there is evidence of tumor spread.

Using three characteristics of testicular cancer, the new test identifies who is at increased risk of facing testicular cancer relapse. In the making of the test, the researchers gathered data from the Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit and studied 177 tumors specimens from patients living with stage 1 nonseminomatous tumors.

After studying them, the researchers came to know of three features of tumors that can help determine the risk of relapse. The indicators include CXCL12, the percentage of tumors appear to be having cancer stem cells and presence of blood vessels in the tumors.

On the basis of the indicators, the researchers then rated the tumor. They then came to know that if scores are put together then patients can be divided into three risk categories. The researchers said that the patients fell in the low-risk group.

In the next stage, the method was tested on 80 other patients from the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Study’s lead author Janet Shipley said, “Chemotherapy is extremely effective in treating testicular cancer, but it can have long-term consequences for a patient's health and well-being”.