['Patients on follow-up after orchidectomy or chemotherapy for testicular germ cell tumours follow a protocol of outpatient appointments and investigations designed to detect relapse. We wanted to investigate the contribution of clinical examination to patient management.', 'The notes of 70 consecutive patients who suffered a first systemic relapse of their germ cell tumour within the last 10 years were studied to determine how the relapse was detected. Second testicular tumours were excluded.', 'Of the 69 patients whose notes were available, only one had a significant finding on physical examination, concurrent with abnormal markers.'] Does clinical examination assist in the detection of systemic relapse of testicular germ cell tumour?