PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this study is to update the reader on advances in postpubertal male germ cell tumours (GCTs) over the last 18 months. RECENT FINDINGS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms, including in four sex-determination genes, have been identified as additional genetic susceptibility loci to testicular GCT development. New insights into cisplatin resistance implicate the PDGFR-PIK3CA-AKT and RAS pathways. Circulating tumour cells and circulating microRNAs are potential new biomarkers. In clinical stage I (CS-I) GCT, two large studies have confirmed the excellent outcomes achieved with surveillance, which is now the management option of choice for CS I-A nonseminoma and all CS-I seminomas; CS I-B nonseminoma remains controversial. First-line trials of dose-dense multidrug regimens reported promising results but have not yet supplanted BEPx4. Survivorship issues, including secondary malignancies from chemotherapy, remain important in this disease and are a continuing focus of ongoing research. SUMMARY: Important research questions remain across all aspects of GCT. The next decade is likely to produce many new and exciting discoveries that will benefit GCT patients.
