Outcomes of relapsed clinical stage I versus de novo metastatic testicular cancer patients: an analysis of the IGCCCG Update database.

BACKGROUND: Active surveillance after orchiectomy is the preferred management in clinical stage I (CSI) germ-cell tumours (GCT) associated with a 15 to 30% relapse rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the IGCCCG Update database, we compared the outcomes of gonadal disseminated GCT relapsing from initial CSI to outcomes of patients with de novo metastatic GCT. RESULTS: A total of 1014 seminoma (Sem) [298 (29.4%) relapsed from CSI, 716 (70.6%) de novo] and 3103 non-seminoma (NSem) [626 (20.2%) relapsed from CSI, 2477 (79.8%) de novo] were identified. Among Sem, no statistically significant differences in PFS and OS were found between patients relapsing from CSI and de novo metastatic disease [5-year progression-free survival (5y-PFS) 87.6% versus 88.5%; 5-year overall survival (5y-OS) 93.2% versus 96.1%). Among NSem, PFS and OS were higher overall in relapsing CSI patients (5y-PFS 84.6% versus 80.0%; 5y-OS 93.3% versus 88.7%), but there were no differences within the same IGCCCG prognostic groups (HR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.70-1.12). Relapses in the intermediate or poor prognostic groups occurred in 11/298 (4%) Sem and 112/626 (18%) NSem. CONCLUSION: Relapsing CSI GCT patients expect similar survival compared to de novo metastatic patients of the same ICCCCG prognostic group. Intermediate and poor prognosis relapses from initial CSI expose patients to unnecessary toxicity from more intensive treatments.

A comparative study of peri-operative outcomes for 100 consecutive post-chemotherapy and primary robot-assisted and open retroperitoneal lymph node dissections.

PURPOSE: To describe and compare differences in peri-operative outcomes of robot-assisted (RA-RPLND) and open (O-RPLND) retroperitoneal lymph node dissection performed by a single surgeon where chemotherapy is the standard initial treatment for Stage 2 or greater non-seminomatous germ cell tumour. METHODS: Review of a prospective database of all RA-RPLNDs (28 patients) and O-RPLNDs (72 patients) performed by a single surgeon from 2014 to 2020. Peri-operative outcomes were compared for patients having RA-RPLND to all O-RPLNDs and a matched cohort of patients having O-RPLND (20 patients). Further comparison was performed between all patients in the RA-RPLND group (21 patients) and matched O-RPLND group (18 patients) who had previous chemotherapy. RA-RPLND was performed for patients suitable for a unilateral template dissection. O-RPLND was performed prior to the introduction of RA-RPLND and for patients not suitable for RA-RPLND after its introduction. RESULTS: RA-RPLND showed improved peri-operative outcomes compared to the matched cohort of O-RPLND-median blood loss (50 versus 400 ml, p < 0.00001), operative duration (150 versus 195 min, p = 0.023) length-of-stay (1 versus 5 days, p < 0.00001) and anejaculation (0 versus 4, p = 0.0249). There was no statistical difference in complication rates. RA-RPLND had lower median lymph node yields although not significant (9 versus 13, p = 0.070). These improved peri-operative outcomes were also seen in the post-chemotherapy RA-RPLND versus O-RPLND analysis. There were no tumour recurrences seen in either group with median follow-up of 36 months and 60 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Post-chemotherapy RA-RPLND may have decreased blood loss, operative duration, hospital length-of-stay and anejaculation rates in selected cases and should, therefore, be considered in selected patients. Differences in oncological outcomes require longer term follow-up.

Management of stage II seminoma: a contemporary UK perspective.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Testicular Germ Cell Tumours (TGCTs) are the commonest young adult male cancer, with excellent survival outcomes even with metastatic disease. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are international guideline-dictated standard of care (SOC) treatments for International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) "good risk" TGCT, but are associated with significant toxicities. Therapy de-escalation aims to reduce treatment morbidity whilst preserving cure rates, and has been adopted by some centres for stage IIA/B seminoma. Here, we report on the contemporary UK treatment landscape for stage IIA/B seminoma. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey of NHS England-designated specialist cancer centres hosting supra-regional specialist multi-disciplinary team (sMDT) services (n = 13) as well those within NHS Scotland, NHS Wales and Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. Respondents were asked to order preferences of SOC and therapy de-escalation treatments for stage IIA/B seminoma. RESULTS: We identified significant geographical heterogeneity in treatment preferences. Whilst up to a third of centres have adopted a treatment de-escalation regimen, the majority deliver combination chemotherapy or radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: A wider recognition of UK treatment heterogeneity and consideration of therapy de-escalation strategies at supra-regional sMDTs will increase stage IIA/B seminoma treatment options as part of clinical trials with oncological and quality of life endpoints.

The impact of a supranetwork multidisciplinary team (SMDT) on decision-making in testicular cancers: a 10-year overview of the Anglian Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (AGCCCG).

BACKGROUND: The germ cell supranetwork multidisciplinary team (SMDT) for the Anglian Network covers a population of 7.5 million. METHODS: We reviewed 10 years of SMDT discussion and categorised them into five domains ((1) overall outcome, (2) chemotherapy regimens-untreated disease and salvage therapy, (3) radiology, (4) pathology and (5) complex cases) to assess the impact of the SMDT. RESULTS: A total of 2892 new cases were reviewed. In the first 5 years, patients with good prognosis disease had poorer survival in low-volume vs high-volume centres (87.8 vs 95.3, p = 0.02), but the difference was no longer significant in the last 5 years (93.3 vs 95.1, p = 0.30). Radiology review of 3206 scans led to rejection of the diagnosis of progression in 26 cases and a further 10 cases were down-staged. There were 790 pathology reviews by two specialised uropathologists, which lead to changes in 75 cases. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) PET-CT was undertaken during this time period but did not help to predict who would have viable cancer. A total of 26 patients with significant mental health issues who were unable to give informed consent were discussed. CONCLUSION: SMDT working has led to an improvement in outcomes and refining of treatment in patients with germ cell tumours.

Pathological predictors of metastatic disease in testicular non-seminomatous germ cell tumors: which tumor-node-metastasis staging system?

Pathological risk factors for metastatic disease in patients with testicular non-seminomatous germ cell tumors are debated. The tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification eighth edition for testicular cancers includes divergent versions, by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and by the American Joint Committee for cancer (AJCC). We investigated pathological predictors of metastatic disease at presentation in 219 non-seminomatous germ cell tumors with reference to both classifications. Age, tumor size, percentage of embryonal carcinoma, lymphovascular invasion, invasion of stromal rete testis, hilar soft tissue, epididymis, spermatic cord, and tunica vaginalis, as well as tumor at spermatic cord margin, were assessed and correlated with clinical stage at presentation. Of the 219 NSGCT cases, 151 (69%) were clinical stage I, 68 (31%) were clinical stage II/III. On univariate analysis, tumor size (P = 0.028), percentage of embryonal carcinoma (P = 0.004), lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.001), stromal rete testis invasion (P = 0.001), hilar soft tissue invasion (P = 0.010), epididymis invasion (P = 0.010), direct spermatic cord invasion (P = 0.001), and tumor at spermatic cord margin ((P = 0.009) were associated with higher clinical stage. On multivariate analysis, lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.003), tumor size (P = 0.005), percentage of embryonal carcinoma (P = 0.005), stromal rete testis invasion (P = 0.008) remained significant. A tumor size of 6 cm and an embryonal carcinoma percentage of 70% were the significant cut-off values. We conclude that in addition to lymphovascular invasion, stromal rete testis invasion, tumor size, and embryonal carcinoma percentage are strong predictors of metastatic disease at presentation and their inclusion should be considered in any future TNM revision. Further, our results support the changes in the AJCC TNM eighth edition as invasion of the epididymis and hilar soft tissue were both univariately significant.

Neutropenic sepsis rates in patients receiving bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy using olanzapine and reduced doses of dexamethasone compared to a standard antiemetic regimen.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the use of a steroid-sparing antiemetic protocol (substituting dexamethasone with olanzapine) affects the incidence of neutropenia and associated hospital admissions in patients receiving bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Records from 108 patients who received BEP at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London were divided into two groups according to antiemetic regimen. Group 1 (treated 2008-2013) were treated with a steroid-containing antiemetic protocol and group 2 (treated 2014-2017) were treated according to a steroid-sparing protocol, i.e. using olanzapine. Outcomes included incidence of neutropenia at nadir blood count, severity of neutropenia, hospital admissions attributable to febrile neutropenia (FN) and baseline risk factors associated with FN. Statistical analyses were performed using two-sided chi-squared tests. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two groups were balanced with regard to age, gender, histology, and proportion of patients with International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group poor-risk disease. The incidence of neutropenia of any grade (group 1, 96.2%; group 2, 98.1%) was similar, although group 2 had more patients with severe neutropenia than group 2 (77.7% vs 88.8%). There was a significant difference in FN incidence (group 1, 22%; group 2 7.5%; P = 0.030). Most cases of FN occurred in cycle 1. Two baseline characteristics were over-represented in patients who developed FN: female sex and age ≥50 years. CONCLUSION: By comparing two cohorts who received prophylactic antibiotics, our audit suggests that rates of FN-related admissions were lower in the cohort of patients in whom we employed a steroid-sparing antiemetic protocol.

Prospective molecular and morphological assessment of testicular prepubertal-type teratomas in postpubertal men.

In 2016, the World Health Organization classification system of testicular tumors included the new entity prepubertal-type teratoma based on its morphological and molecular profile, and the realization that these tumors may occur in postpubertal men. For treatment and prognostic purposes, it is important to distinguish prepubertal-type teratoma from the usual postpubertal-type teratoma, because the former is benign unlike the latter. The distinction may be challenging. In this study, we investigated clinical, morphological, and molecular criteria for distinguishing prepubertal-type teratoma from postpubertal-type teratoma in a prospective series of pure testicular teratomas. All cases of pure teratoma in postpubertal men assessed at Barts Health NHS Trust or in consultation since the introduction of routine investigation of chromosome 12p status in 2010 were reviewed. Morphological features suggestive of prepubertal-type teratoma were observed in 14 out of 35 cases. All underwent molecular testing and none displayed 12p amplification. Mean tumor size was 16 mm (range 7-28 mm). None had associated germ cell neoplasia in situ or significant atrophy. Four incorporated a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, 1-2 mm in size. Of the ten patients with follow-up information, none have recurred or metastasized. Twenty-one of the 35 cases were diagnosed as postpubertal-type teratoma, mean tumor size 40 mm (range 6-90 mm). One case underwent molecular testing: a tumor of pure skeletal muscle differentiation and possessed 12p amplification. Three cases presented with clinical metastases. Eight cases contained immature areas, ten cases had associated germ cell neoplasia in situ, and 17 cases had severe atrophy of the parenchyma. One case with neither germ cell neoplasia in situ nor atrophy showed necrosis. We conclude that both morphological and molecular features are of help in differentiating prepubertal-type teratoma from postpubertal-type teratoma. In nearly all postpubertal-type teratomas, molecular testing was unnecessary, and merely confirmed the morphological impression in the prepubertal-type teratomas. Our study confirmed the high incidence of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors in the prepubertal-type.

Noninvasive Detection of Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Using Circulating Tumor Cells.

PURPOSE: Prostate specific antigen testing results in unnecessary biopsy and over diagnosis with consequent overtreatment. Tissue biopsy is an invasive procedure associated with significant morbidity. More accurate noninvasive or minimally invasive diagnostic approaches should be developed to avoid unnecessary prostate biopsy and over diagnosis. We investigated the potential of using circulating tumor cell analysis in cancer diagnosis, particularly to predict clinically significant prostate cancer in prebiopsy cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 155 treatment naïve patients with prostate cancer and 98 before biopsy for circulating tumor cell enumeration. RNA was extracted from circulating tumor cells of 184 patients for gene expression analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman rank tests, multivariate logistic regression and the random forest method were applied to assess the association of circulating tumor cells with aggressive prostate cancer. RESULTS: Of patients with localized prostate cancer 54% were scored as having positive circulating tumor cells, which was associated with a higher Gleason score (p=0.0003), risk group (p <0.0001) and clinically significant prostate cancer (p <0.0001). In the prebiopsy group a positive circulating tumor cell score combined with prostate specific antigen predicted clinically significant prostate cancer (AUC 0.869). A 12-gene panel prognostic for clinically significant prostate cancer was also identified. When combining the prostate specific antigen level, the circulating tumor cell score and the 12-gene panel, the AUC of clinically significant prostate cancer prediction was 0.927. Adding those data to cases with available multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging data significantly increased prediction accuracy (AUC 0.936 vs 0.629). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating tumor cell analysis has the potential to significantly improve patient stratification by prostate specific antigen and/or multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for biopsy and treatment.

Ovarian germ cell tumour classification: views from the testis.

The classification of ovarian germ cell tumours has remained unchanged for many years, while there have been considerable changes in the testicular classification. In recent years there has been concern about the overtreatment of clinical stage 1 testicular germ cell tumours with increasing use of surveillance for low-risk disease. We outline here the current classification of germ cell tumours of the ovary with particular regard to treatment and outcome and highlight some areas which may cause confusion, particularly pertaining to immature teratomas and mixed germ cell tumours. We suggest that some minor changes to the classification, evidenced by a recent retrospective series by some of the authors, may lead to less adjuvant chemotherapy for immature teratomas and may obviate the need for the grading of immature teratomas, by aligning with testicular experience in pure post-pubertal teratomas. Adoption of this will require retrospective and prospective re-evaluation, but may avoid long-term patient morbidity.

Dose-dense chemotherapy for untreated poor-prognosis and relapsed germ-cell tumours: an 18-year experience with GAMEC chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To report a single-centre experience of the regimen GAMEC (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, actinomycin-D, methotrexate with folinic acid rescue, etoposide and cisplatin) over 18 years in both untreated disease and relapse settings. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was based on 162 patients who received GAMEC dose-dense chemotherapy incorporating actinomycin and high dose methotrexate. Survival outcomes were compared. Risk categorization based on (1) the International Prognostic Factor Study Group (IPFSG) criteria and (2) two factors, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels greater than the upper limit of normal and age ≥35 years, were also compared in terms of survival outcomes using Cox proportional hazard regression modelling. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients with poor-prognosis disease, according to International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group classification, received GAMEC as initial therapy. With a median follow-up of 63 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was >14 months. The 2-year PFS rate was 61.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 49.1-71.6), and the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 71.9%. Seventy-six patients received GAMEC as second-line therapy (following failure of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin or etoposide cisplatin). The median PFS was 7.5 months (95% CI 5.2-not evaluable), the 2-year PFS rate was 43.5% (95% CI 32.1-54.4) and the 3-year OS rate was 53.7% (95% CI 41.6-64.3). In the third-line setting (n = 11), the 2-year PFS was 18.2% (95% CI 2.8-44.2). Overall, the treatment-related death rate declined from 10.5% in the first 15 years to 2.6% in the last 5 years. CONCLUSION: GAMEC was an effective regimen in untreated poor-prognosis disease and on relapse following conventional cisplatin and etoposide-based chemotherapy. Risk categorization based on LDH/age is more sensitive than that based on the updated IPFSG criteria. It is possible to identify patients who are particularly likely to benefit from this treatment, which has the important advantages of short duration and absence of bleomycin, particularly in patients with central nervous system and mediastinal disease. Low-dose induction treatment is associated with safer delivery of treatment without compromising survival.

Development of a best-practice clinical guideline for the use of bleomycin in the treatment of germ cell tumours in the UK.

Bleomycin, a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent, forms a key component of curative regimens for lymphoma and germ cell tumours. It can be associated with severe toxicity, long-term complications and even death in extreme cases. There is a lack of evidence or consensus on how to prevent and monitor bleomycin toxicity. We surveyed 63 germ cell cancer physicians from 32 cancer centres across the UK to understand their approach to using bleomycin. Subsequent guideline development was based upon current practice, best available published evidence and expert consensus. We observed heterogeneity in practice in the following areas: monitoring; route of administration; contraindications to use; baseline and follow-up investigations performed, and advice given to patients. A best-practice clinical guideline for the use of bleomycin in the treatment of germ cell tumours has been developed and includes recommendations regarding baseline investigations, the use of pulmonary function tests, route of administration, monitoring and patient advice. It is likely that existing heterogeneity in clinical practice of bleomycin prescribing has significant economic, safety and patient experience implications. The development of an evidence-based consensus guideline was supported by 93% of survey participants and aims to address these issues and homogenise practice across the UK.

Incidentally detected testicular lesions <10 mm in diameter: can orchidectomy be avoided?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathology of excised testicular lesions <10 mm in size. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The pathological reports of 2 681 patients with testicular lesions from Barts Health NHS Trust and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were reviewed as part of a service evaluation audit from January 2003 to May 2016. Cases in which the lesion had a maximum diameter of <10 mm were selected. Clinical features were also accessed, where available, to examine patient demographics, prediagnostic levels of serum markers, ultrasonographic findings and clinical details. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients with a lesion size <10 mm on histology were identified and, of these, 16 (20%) had a lesion diameter <5 mm. Of the 81 patients, 56 (69%) had benign lesions. Of 16 patients with a benign lesion <5 mm in diameter, 15 underwent orchidectomy and just one underwent partial orchidectomy. Preoperative tumour markers were available in 47/81 patients. None of the 16 malignant tumours in these 47 patients were associated with raised tumour markers, while seven of 31 remaining patients with benign lesions had raised α-fetoprotein and lactate dehydrogenase levels. In total there were 25/81 malignant cases (31%), which were all germ cell tumours (GCTs): 15 seminomas (60%) and 10 non-seminomatous GCTs (40%). Only one GCT had a diameter of <5 mm, and this was a regressed tumour within an 18-mm area of granulomatous inflammation. Only one GCT relapsed: a clinical stage I, embryonal carcinoma of 6 mm in maximum diameter. The 56 'benign' cases included 34 sex cord stromal tumours, including 23 Leydig cell tumours (41%), eight Sertoli cell tumours (14%) and three mixed sex cord stromal tumours (5%). None showed any malignant features. The remaining 22/56 lesions (40%) were lesions with no further follow-up. Benign lesions seemed to be associated with a small diameter, and we found <5 mm to be the best threshold for predicting benign vs malignant lesions (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The majority of testicular lesions <10 mm, identified by radiology, were benign, although approxmiately one-third were malignant. In the present study, 100% of lesions <5 mm in diameter were benign. Tumour markers appear to be unhelpful in the distinction of these small tumours. We suggest that regular ultrasound surveillance be more widely used for testicular lesions of this size. Testicular tumours now have a very high cure rate and changes in size of lesions may be monitored prospectively with minimal risk of increased morbidity. Patients who undergo an orchidectomy for lesions <5 mm are 'victims of modern imaging technology'. If surgery is undertaken in lesions 5-10 mm, patients should be counselled that two-thirds of cases are benign.

A Prospective Audit of Intermittent Anti-Androgen verses Pituitary Blockade Suggests a Bipolar Androgen Type Strategy May Be Safe in Untreated Prostate Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: A locally advanced Gleason 4 + 4 prostate cancer patient who was on self-medication with intermittent anti-androgen monotherapy (iAAm) over 14 years suggested that raised testosterone was not dangerous and this suggestion needed investigating. PATIENTS: Others who were on AA continuously were recruited to ongoing audit of intermittent hormone therapy (IHT) and iAAm outcomes were compared with intermittent LHRH therapy (iLHRH or iMAB). RESULTS: Between 1994 and 2007, 111 patients sought IHT because of side effects of treatment. Forty-two M0 patients received IHT with iLHRHm or iMAB and 33 received iAAm (31 of these were M0). PSA nadir below 4 was necessary for entry. Overall survival was 87, 72 and 67% with iAAm and 73, 56 and 43% with iLHRH/MAB at 5, 8 and 10 years respectively. Overall survival was 61, 55 and 33% continued on iAAm and 56, 41, and 32% on iLHRH/MAB at 5, 8, and 10 years respectively. Multivariable analysis and matched case control analysis confirm that the maintenance of advantage for iAAm Testosterone levels in patients on iAAm compared to iLHRH therapy was more intense throughout treatment. CONCLUSION: These results complement recent progress in using bipolar androgen therapy to reverse castration resistance and add to the increasing acceptance that controlled testosterone exposure might be relevant in hormone-naïve patients.

Postchemotherapy changes in testicular germ cell tumours: biology and morphology.

Advances in modern chemotherapy and targeted treatments have resulted in lengthened survival in a variety of tumour types in the last decade. Increasingly in the 21st century, postchemotherapy resections are considered as a possible mode of treatment. Due to their exquisite chemosensitivity, resection of postchemotherapy masses has long been part of the armamentarium of treatment in testicular germ cell neoplasia, which has resulted in a variety of new morphological variants being described after treatment. Here we discuss the possible reasons for germ cell tumour chemosensitivity and hypotheses on the biological pathways leading to resistance to treatment, as well as an outline of the diverse morphology of those tumours which prove recalcitrant to standard treatment methods. The large range of morphologies and their diagnostic challenges may throw light upon the future problems to be encountered in non-germ cell solid tumour pathology, as the resection of postchemotherapy masses becomes increasingly important in patient management.

The efficacy of irinotecan, paclitaxel, and oxaliplatin (IPO) in relapsed germ cell tumours with high-dose chemotherapy as consolidation: a non-cisplatin-based induction approach.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the outcome of an expanded cohort of patients with relapsed germ cell tumours (GCTs) treated with a salvage chemotherapy regimen consisting of irinotecan, paclitaxel and oxaliplatin (IPO) and assess the role of IPO as an alternative to standard cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The results of 72 consecutive patients were reviewed retrospectively. IPO was used either as a second-line treatment (29 patients), of which 20 patients subsequently received high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT), or third-line (43), of which 32 patients proceeded to HDCT. RESULTS: The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates for the whole cohort were 30.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.3-40.5%) and 33.4% (95% CI 20.1-43.8%), respectively. Complete remission was achieved in 3%, marker-negative partial response (PR) in 41%, marker-positive PR in 18%, stable disease in 17% and progressive disease in 20%. In the second-line setting, the 2-year PFS rate was 43.5% (95% CI 21.7-60.8%) and 3-year OS 49.1% (95% CI 24.2-65.1%). In the third-line setting, the 2-year PFS rate was 21.0% (95% CI 9.5-35.4%) and the 3-year OS rate was 23.9% (95% CI 11.7-38.2). According to the current international prognostic factor study group criteria for first relapse for the high- and very high-risk group the 2-year PFS rates were 50% and 30%, respectively. There were two treatment-related deaths from IPO, and four from HDCT. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities included neutropenia (35%), thrombocytopaenia (18%), infection (15%), diarrhoea (11%) and lethargy (8%). CONCLUSIONS: IPO offers an effective, well-tolerated, non-nephrotoxic alternative to cisplatin-based salvage regimens for patients with relapsed GCTs. It appears particularly useful in high-risk patients and for those in whom cisplatin is ineffective or contra-indicated.

Brain metastases associated with germ cell tumors may be treated with chemotherapy alone.

BACKGROUND: The management of brain metastases in patients with germ cell tumors remains controversial. The authors assessed the outcome in this patient group after the introduction of GAMEC chemotherapy (14-day cisplatin, high-dose methotrexate, etoposide, and actinomycin-D with filgrastim support) and cessation of the routine use of cranial irradiation. METHODS: Data were recorded prospectively from 39 patients with germ cell tumors and concurrent brain metastases who received treatment before and after the advent of GAMEC after they relapsed on conventional cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Neurosurgery was offered to selected patients. Radiotherapy generally was used only as a salvage therapy after chemotherapy failure. The primary outcome measure was overall survival and was depicted using a Kaplan-Meier plot. RESULTS: The 3-year overall survival rates were 38% for the whole cohort, 69% for those who presented with brain metastases at diagnosis (group 1), and 21% and 0% for those who developed metastases after initial chemotherapy (group 2) and while receiving chemotherapy (group 3), respectively. For the whole cohort, the median overall survival was 10.6 months (range, 5.5 months to not evaluable); and, for groups 1, 2, and 3 individually, the overall survival was not yet reached (range, from 7.4 months to not evaluable), 6.2 months (range, 2.1-15.3 months), and 2.7 months (range, from 0.6 months to not evaluable), respectively. The 3-year survival rate for those who received GAMEC chemotherapy was 56% compared with 27% for those who received chemotherapy pre-GAMEC. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis for patients with germ cell tumors and brain metastases seems less bleak than previously thought. It is possible to achieve long-term survival with chemotherapy alone.

Initial experience of intravesical gemcitabine for patients with high-risk superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder following BCG failure.

This study reports the use of intravesical gemcitabine in managing patients with high-risk bladder cancer, refractory to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). Patients were given gemcitibine; treatment response was evaluated by fluorescence-cystoscopy biopsy and urine cytology. Time to reoccurrence increased with instillation time.

Prostate Cancer Survivorship and Global Health-Related Quality of Life.

Dee, Ng, Shamash, and Nguyen respond to the work of Potosky et al, highlighting the importance of global quality of life in prostate cancer care. Factors such as companionship and spirituality must be considered in providing equitable and whole-person care.