[De-escalation: Testicular cancer.] / La desescalada en urología: cáncer de testículo.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a priority algorithm for determinate diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up procedures regarding at testicular cancer, adjusted by institutional requirements. Testicular cancer patient assessment during COVID-19 Pandemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of relevant manuscript published up to date, draft creation correctedt hough modified nominal group until final corrected manuscript. RESULTS: A lack of scientific evidence exists through a large amount of manuscripts. The authors support prioritizing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Once priorities have been established, that will facilitate providing each patients the limited resources. Initial diagnostic procedures for testicular cancer such as scrotal US, orchiectomy, staging CT and adjuvant treatment (if required) are priority. Reducing the usage of chemotherapy with respiratory toxicity and increasing the usage ofgrowth factors during chemotherapy treatment are the main stakeholders of treatment. Besides, providing active surveillance on non-risk factor clinical stage I is alsoa priority. In case of positive COVID-19, it is important to high light that the vast majority of patients are tentatively cured. CONCLUSIONS: During de-escalation phases, patients diagnosed with testicular cancer should receive priority care during initial assessment. The follow-ups of patients with low -risk and without recurrence for a long time, might be delayed.

OBJETIVOS: Establecer la prioridad de los distintos procedimientos diagnósticos, terapéuticos y de seguimiento sobre el cáncer de testículo para adaptarse adecuadamente a la situación asistencial de cada centro. Valorar precauciones y adaptaciones durante la situación actual de desescalada en el curso de la pandemia COVID-19. Valoración del paciente con cáncer de testículo en presencia de pandemia infectiva.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión de la literatura relevante publicada hasta la fecha, elaboración de un borrador corregido por técnica de grupo nominal modificada, hasta obtener un documento de consenso entre los autores. RESULTADOS: En ausencia de evidencia científica relevante la mayor parte de las publicaciones, y la conclusiónde los autores, abogan por priorizar los procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos de los pacientes. Una vez priorizados será menos complejo adaptar los recursos limitados a las necesidades más perentorias de los pacientes. En el cáncer de testículo los procedimientos iniciales que incluyen ecografía escrotal, orquiectomía, estudio de extensión, y tratamiento complementario si necesario, son de máxima necesidad. Se propone disminuir el uso de fármacos con potencial toxicidad respiratoria, y aumentar la utilización de los estimulantes de colonias hematopoyéticas, asi como promover seguimiento activo en estadio clínico I sin factores de riesgo. En caso de infección activa subrayamos que la mayoría de los pacientes son potencialmente curables. CONCLUSIONES: En el proceso de desescalada los pacientes con cáncer de testículo deben ser atendidos de forma preferente, especialmente durante evaluación y tratamiento iniciales. Las revisiones de pacientes con remisiones estables pueden retrasarse razonablemente sin excesivo riesgo de progresion en estadios bajos.

Actual frequency of imaging during follow-up of testicular cancer in Israel-a comparison with the guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: Computed tomography (CT) examinations are frequent in follow-up care of testicular cancer (TC) but may increase the risk for other cancers. We wanted to assess the actual number of CT and X-ray examinations within the first 5 years after a diagnosis of TC in Israel during 2003-2007. METHODS: The database of Maccabi Healthcare Services, Israel, was searched for TC patients diagnosed in 2003 to 2007 by direct linkage with the Israel National Cancer Registry. Data on diagnostic imaging examinations (CT of chest, abdomen, or pelvis, unspecified sites; X-ray of chest) were extracted during a 5-year follow-up for 226 incident patients. The actual number of CT and X-ray examinations was compared to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guideline. We tabulated the median with 10th and 90th percentiles (P10, P90) for the number of CTs and X-rays considering histology, stage, and adjuvant strategy. RESULTS: The number of abdomen or pelvis CTs for TC patients receiving chemo- or radiotherapy was in accordance with the NCCN guideline. The median of abdomen or pelvis CTs for surveillance patients was 8.5 (P10, P90: 3; 13) for nonseminoma and 5.0 (P10, P90: 5; 13) for seminoma patients compared to 14 to 17 CTs recommended. The number of chest X-rays was lower than recommended in the guideline for all adjuvant strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The NCCN guidelines regarding CTs were met for TC patients treated with chemo- or radiotherapy but fell below recommendations for surveillance. Guidelines from 2011 and 2012 were updated in favor of fewer CTs during surveillance. KEY POINTS: • The number of CTs followed the NCCN guidelines in patients treated with chemo- or radiotherapy. • Surveillance patients received fewer CTs and X-rays than recommended in the NCCN guidelines from 2005. • The number of applied CT examinations corresponded to a radiation dose that did not substantially raise the lifetime risk for cancer.

SPECT/CT and a portable gamma-camera for image-guided laparoscopic sentinel node biopsy in testicular cancer.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of SPECT/CT and real-time intraoperative imaging with a portable γ-camera for laparoscopic sentinel node (SN) localization in stage I testicular cancer. METHODS: Ten patients with clinical stage I testicular cancer were studied between November 2006 and November 2010. Their mean age was 37 y (range, 25-50 y). The primary tumors were situated on the right side in 5 patients and on the left side in 5. After a funicular block with 2% lidocaine, an average dose of 80 MBq (range, 59-98 MBq) of (99m)Tc-nanocolloid in a volume of 0.2 mL was injected into the testicular parenchyma. Shortly after injection, a 10-min dynamic study was performed, followed by the acquisition of static planar images at 15 min and 2 h. SPECT/CT was performed at 2 h. After image fusion, SNs were visualized, and their exact anatomic location was determined. The SPECT/CT images were displayed in the operation room to guide SN detection using a laparoscopic γ-ray probe and a portable γ-camera. RESULTS: Lymphatic drainage to the retroperitoneum was seen in all patients. SPECT/CT identified interaortocaval or paracaval SNs in the 5 patients with right-sided tumors, one of whom had an additional SN adjacent to the testicular vessels. In all 5 patients with left-sided tumors, paraaortic SNs were visualized; a node along the testicular vessels was visualized in 2 of these 5. Twenty-six SNs were laparoscopically removed (range, 1-4 per patient). An SN contained metastases in 1 case. No recurrences developed in the 9 patients with a tumor-free SN during a median follow-up of 21 mo (range, 2-50 mo). CONCLUSION: SPECT/CT enables accurate anatomic localization of retroperitoneal SNs in patients with testicular cancer, facilitating their laparoscopic retrieval. Real-time image guidance by a portable γ-camera improves intraoperative SN detection and appears to identify (20%) additional SNs.

αvß3 imaging can accurately distinguish between mature teratoma and necrosis in 18F-FDG-negative residual masses after treatment of non-seminomatous testicular cancer: a preclinical study.

PURPOSE: We assessed whether imaging α(v)ß(3) integrin could distinguish mature teratoma from necrosis in human non-seminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) post-chemotherapy residual masses. METHODS: Human embryonal carcinoma xenografts (six/rat) were untreated (controls) or treated to form mature teratomas with low-dose cisplatin and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) over a period of 8 weeks. In another group, necrosis was induced in xenografts with high-dose cisplatin plus etoposide (two cycles). (18)F-Fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) small animal positron emission tomography (SA PET) imaging was performed in three rats (one control and two treated for 4 and 8 weeks with cisplatin+ATRA). Imaging of α(v)ß(3) expression was performed in six rats bearing mature teratomas and two rats with necrotic lesions on a microSPECT/CT device after injection of the tracer [(99m)Tc]HYNIC-RGD [6-hydrazinonicotinic acid conjugated to cyclo(Arg-Gly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys)]. Correlative immunohistochemistry studies of human and mouse α(v)ß(3) expression were performed. RESULTS: Cisplatin+ATRA induced differentiation of the xenografts. After 8 weeks, some glandular structures and mesenchymal cells were visible; in contrast, control tumours showed undifferentiated tissues. SA PET imaging showed that mature teratoma had very low avidity for (18)F-FDG [mean standardised uptake value (SUV(mean)) = 0.48 ± 0.05] compared to untreated embryonal carcinoma (SUV(mean) = 0.92 ± 0.13) (p = 0.005). α(v)ß(3) imaging accurately distinguished mature teratoma (tumour to muscle ratio = 4.29 ± 1.57) from necrosis (tumour to muscle ratio = 1.3 ± 0.26) (p = 0.0002). Immunohistochemistry studies showed that α(v)ß(3) integrin expression was strong in the glandular structures of mature teratoma lesions and negative in host stroma. CONCLUSION: Imaging α(v)ß(3) integrin accurately distinguished mature teratoma from necrosis following cisplatin-based treatment in human NSGCT xenografts.

Estimating the risk of cancer associated with imaging related radiation during surveillance for stage I testicular cancer using computerized tomography.

PURPOSE: Computerized tomography has a critical role in the surveillance of stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis. Some protocols call for up to 16 computerized tomography scans over 5 years, thereby exposing young patients to a significant amount of radiation. We estimated the lifetime risk of cancer incidence and cancer death from imaging related radiation received during surveillance of stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a model with a 64-slice computerized tomography scanner obtaining images of the abdomen and pelvis with or without chest in a standardized, phantom male patient, organ specific radiation doses were estimated using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Lifetime attributable risks of cancer were estimated using the approach outlined in the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII Phase 2 report. RESULTS: With a 5-year surveillance protocol as suggested by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, lifetime cancer risk ranged from 1 in 52 (1.9%) for an 18-year-old to 1 in 63 for a 40-year-old patient (1.2%). If chest computerized tomography is also performed the risk increases to 1 in 39 (2.6%) and 1 in 85 (1.6%), respectively. Lung and colon cancer accounted for most of the risk. The relative risk of a secondary malignancy with surveillance compared to a single scan after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is approximately 15.2. CONCLUSIONS: Computerized tomography used in testicular cancer surveillance protocols imparts large radiation doses and is associated with a significant risk of cancer. This risk should be factored into counseling patients with stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor.

Inguinal canal recurrence of colorectal adenocarcinoma following cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis, the second most common cause of death among patients with colorectal carcinoma, may be managed with cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant intraoperative peritoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (IHPC). We present the case of a 35-year-old male with locally recurrent colorectal adenocarcinoma in the inguinal canal and testis following intraperitoneal debulking and IPHC. When communicating with the peritoneal cavity, the inguinal canal may act as an anatomic sanctuary site and allow peritoneal carcinomatosis to escape the effects of intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Synchronous solitary metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to the testis.

Primary tumors known to metastasize to the testis, in order of decreasing frequency, are prostate, lung, gastrointestinal tract, melanoma, and kidney tumors. Metastasis from bladder cancer to the testis is extremely rare, occurs with advanced and metastatic disease, and is usually a finding at autopsy. We report a rare, and probably the first, case of solitary and synchronous metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder to the testis, discovered on the preoperative workup. An incidentally discovered testicular mass in a man with high-grade, invasive bladder cancer should be considered a metastatic lesion until proven otherwise.

[Postoperative radiologic evaluation in uroradiology. Part 2: Bladder, prostate, and testis]. / Postoperative Bildgebung in der Uroradiologie. Teil 2: Blase, Prostate und Hoden.

Radiologists, especially uroradiologists, must retain abreast of rapid developments in urologic therapy and operative techniques in order to critically assess postoperative changes. Part 2 of this review will cover therapy and postoperative evaluation in bladder surgery, surgery in prostate cancer, and retroperitoneal disease associated with testicular tumors. Using the appropriate modality at the appropriate time during the postoperative course is discussed. A variety of alternatives are available to perform urinary diversion after radical cystectomy. Knowledge of operative techniques and postoperative anatomy are mandatory for interpretation of postoperative radiologic findings.

How iliopelvic lymphoscintigraphy can affect the definition of planning target volume in radiation therapy of pelvic and testicular tumors.

PURPOSE: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) of most intrapelvic and testicular tumors has been generally performed with large fields encompassing both the primary disease and lymphatic drainage. This study was carried out to map the pelvic and periaortic lymphatics by means of iliopelvic lymphoscintigraphy (IPL) in preparation for radiotherapy planning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 2000 and October 2001, 70 patients scheduled for EBRT (61 operated on, 52 females, 18 males, mean age 61, range, 24-80), affected with uterine (43), rectal (11), testicular (8), anal (4), penile (2), and vulvar (2) cancers were enrolled in the study. IPL was performed by injection of 99mtechnetium-nanocolloids in the bipedal (70 cases) or bipedal plus perianal (20 cases) sites. The sensitivity of IPL in mapping the lymphatic anatomy was evaluated first. Then three radiation oncologists scored the modifications induced by IPL on the planning target volume (PTV) which had been previously delineated only on the basis of bony landmarks. The original fields were classified "inadequate" if they failed to match the new PTV by more than 1 cm. RESULTS: IPL sensitivity in showing the inguinal, external iliac, common, and periaortic lymphatics was 100%, 90%, 80%, and 70% in anterior-posterior (A-P) projections, and 100%, 80%, 70%, and 60% in lateral projections respectively. For the presacral and hypogastric ones the sensitivity was 40%. When compared with bony landmarks, IPL changed the delineation of PTV in 24 of 70 A-P P-A fields (34%) and 22 of 58 (38%) lateral fields. Furthermore, 8/12 (67%) lymphadenectomies resulted in being incomplete. No IPL-related toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: IPL is a safe, inexpensive (cost: 100 Euros), and effective method to map the lymphatic chains. In the A-P scintigrams these structures were detected in 85% (70-100%) of the patients referred for total pelvis irradiation, and this figure could be higher in subjects not operated on. IPL can also give a reliable evaluation of the lymphadenectomies in order to schedule the proper treatments after surgery. Finally, IPL may change the conventional PTV for pelvic irradiation in about 36% (34-38%) of the cases; therefore, the fields should be tailored more around the lymphatic landmarks than the bony landmarks.

Immunoscintigraphy with 131I-labelled H17E2 monoclonal antibody compared with conventional lymphangiography and computed tomography in the detection of metastases in patients with testicular germ cell tumours.

131I-labelled H17E2 monoclonal antibody (MAb) was administered to 16 patients with germ cell tumours of the testis (GCT). Eleven patients had non-seminomatous GCT and five seminoma. The MAb was administered into the webs between the second and third toes of both feet in 12 patients and intravenously in four patients at a dose of 1.5-2mCi. 131I-labelled 2-118 MAb (non-specific) was administered subcutaneously into the webs between the second and third toes of both feet in two patients and intravenously in one patient with non-seminomatous GCT. All three patients had only computed tomography (CT) scan. Patients were scanned immediately after until 7 days post-injection. For comparison all patients had CT scan and eight out of 16 patients had conventional lymphangiography (LG). When the radiolabelled MAb was given subcutaneously, the immunoscan (IS) was true positive in 9/12 (75%) patients and true negative in 2/12 (16.5%) and equivocal in 1/12 (8.5%). The LG gave true positive results in 6/8 (75%) patients and true negative results in 2/8 (25%) and the CT scan true positive results in 8/12 (66.6%) patients, true negative results in 2/12 (16.3%) and false negative results in 2/12 (16.3%). There was an excellent correlation of IS images with the LG results (true positivity 100%). When the radiolabelled MAb was given intravenously, both IS and CT scan gave true positive results in four cases. Our findings showed that the true positivity of IS reached 93.8%, whereas that of CT scan 87.5%. In all three patients who had the 131I-labelled 2-118 non-specific MAb, the IS was false negative, whereas the CT scan was true positive. Thus, this procedure may offer information complementary to that provided by existing conventional imaging methods.

Clinical value of imaging using antibody to alpha fetoprotein in germ cell tumours.

Germ cell tumours (GCT) producing alpha fetoprotein (aFP) can be imaged by external scintigraphy after intravenous administration of radiolabelled antibody directed against aFP. Antibody imaging (AI) by this method was used in an attempt to guide surgical resection of deposits of drug-resistant or recurrent GCT. 30 patients with GCT and raised aFP in whom site of tumour was not known were investigated by AI and conventional imaging methods. All but one were heavily pretreated. Where tumour appeared localised, resection was attempted. Tumour was found in all sites positive by both AI and conventional imaging. AI produced false-positive results in one of 30 patients and false-negative results in 9 patients. Computerised tomography was false-positive in one case and false-negative in three. In these patients, AI gave true-negative and true-positive results, respectively. Of 11 patients with positive AI in whom resection was attempted, 6 achieved sustained complete response with up to 5 years follow-up. We conclude AI and conventional imaging methods to be complementary in selection for surgery of patients with drug-resistant or recurrent GCT.

Treatment of sequential bilateral germ cell tumors of the testis following interval retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

Modification in lymphatic drainage following retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, such as a collateral circulation or lymph node and lymphatic vessel regeneration, was observed in 2 patients in whom a second tumor developed in the remaining testicle. Such alterations of the lymphatic system are difficult to evaluate for the possible presence of metastatic disease. The presence of extensive collateral circulation rules out lymph node dissection or radiation therapy as an appropriate treatment in these patients. A short course of systemic chemotherapy, regardless of the histological type of the second malignancy, seems to be the safest adjunctive treatment in such cases.