[Ureteroarterial fistula - pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapeutic outcome]. / Die uretero-arterielle Fistel - Ursachen, Diagnostik und Therapieergebnisse.

Although ureteroarterial fistulas are rare, they result in a high mortality because of the massive urogenital haemorrhage. The diagnosis is often difficult even when invasive measures are applied. Including the ureteroarterial fistula in the diagnostic process in cases of macrohaematuria with a positive medical history can be helpful. A ureteroarterial fistula typically develops in pa-tients who have undergone pelvic surgery and radiation as well as after long-term ureteral stents. Patients are usually multimorbid. The treatment of choice consists of fistula exclusion by stent graft deployment in the iliac artery and application of a ureteral stent or a ureterostomy. The significance of surgical treatment is diminishing. The long-term results of endovascular treatment, however, are inconsistent because of stent infections and recurrent bleeding. Therefore, close patient surveillance and cooperation among the treating specialists is necessary.·

Single agent carboplatin for CS IIA/B testicular seminoma. A phase II study of the German Testicular Cancer Study Group (GTCSG).

BACKGROUND: The aim was to investigate the use of single agent carboplatin in patients with seminoma stage IIA/B. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective phase II trial, single agent carboplatin at a dose of AUC 7 mg.min/ml every 4 weeks for three cycles in stage IIA (n=51) or four cycles in stage IIB (n=57) was given to 108 patients with previously untreated seminoma stage IIA/B. Patients with residual masses of >or=3 cm were scheduled to receive secondary surgery. RESULTS: A complete response (CR) was achieved by 88/108 (81%) patients, 17/108 (16%) achieved a partial response (PR), two of 108 (2%) showed no change, and one patient progressed. In all patients with PR the residual disease was

Residual tumor resection after high-dose chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory germ cell cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of residual tumor resection performed after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) in patients with relapsed or refractory germ cell tumors (GCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1987 and October 1999, postchemotherapy resections of residual tumors were performed in 57 patients who had been treated with HDCT for relapsed or refractory GCT and who had achieved a partial remission to this treatment. RESULTS: Complete resections of residual masses were achieved in 52 (91%) of 57 patients who were rendered disease free; in five (9%) of 57 patients, the resections were incomplete. Resection of a single site was performed in 39 (68%) of 57 patients, and the remaining 18 (32%) of 57 patients required interventions at two or more residual tumor sites. Necrosis was found in 22 (38%) of 57 patients, mature teratoma with or without necrosis was found in nine (16%) of 57 patients, and viable cancer with or without additional necrosis or mature teratoma was found in 26 (46%) of 57 patients. Viable cancer consisted either of residual germ cell or undifferentiated cancer in 22 (85%) of 26 patients, with additional non-GCT histologies in the remaining four patients. Patients with viable cancer had a significantly inferior outcome after surgery compared with patients with necrosis and/or mature teratoma even if all cancer was completely resected. Pulmonary lesions with a diameter of more than 2 cm were the only predictive variable for viable cancer in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Resections of all residual tumors should be attempted in patients with relapsed or refractory GCT and partial remissions after HDCT.

A phase II trial of pemetrexed in patients with metastatic renal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rising in incidence but remains difficult to treat. This clinical trial evaluated the effects of pemetrexed (multitargeted antifolate, ALIMTAR) for the treatment of metastatic RCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were required to have histological diagnosis of metastatic RCC with measurable disease and no prior chemotherapy. In addition, patients were required to have a World Health Organization (WHO) performance status of 0-2 and adequate bone marrow reserve. Patients received pemetrexed at a dose of 600 mg/m2 as a 10 min infusion every 3 weeks. Patients did not receive folic acid or vitamin B12 supplementation. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were enrolled and thirty two were evaluable for response. Three patients had a partial response for a response rate of 9% (95% CI 2-25%). The median time to progressive disease was 10.5 months. Of the nonresponders, twenty two had stable disease (median duration was 5.8 months; range 1.5-27.7) and seven had progressive disease (median time to progression was 5.4 months). Median time to progression for all qualified patients was 5.7 months. Common toxicities experienced were diarrhea and infection. Fatigue, stomatitis, and rash were also reported. The most common hematologic toxicity was grade 3/4 lymphopenia in 76% of patients. Leukopenia, granulocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia were also frequently reported. CONCLUSION: Single-agent pemetrexed has moderate activity in the treatment of metastatic RCC and should be investigated in combination with other potential active agents, as first-line treatment.

[Gemcitabine/cisplatin vs. MVAC. 5 year survival outcome of the phase III study of chemotherapy of advanced urothelial carcinoma in Germany]. / Gemcitabin/Cisplatin vs. MVAC. 5-Jahres-Ergebnisse der Phase-III-Studie zur Chemotherapie des fortgeschrittenen Urothelkarzinoms in Deutschland.

Of 405 patients with stage IV transitional cell carcinoma from an international multicenter phase III trial, 70 were randomized in Germany to receive either gemcitabine/cisplatin or standard MVAC systemic chemotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer. Overall survival as the primary endpoint of the study was similar in both arms (median survival GC 15.4 months vs MVAC 16.1 months), as were tumor-specific survival and time to progressive disease. In the intent-to-treat analysis, the 5-year overall survival rate was 10% for patients randomized to GC and 18% randomized to MVAC. Tumor overall response rates (GC 54%, MVAC 53%) were similar. The toxic death rate was 0% in the GC arm and 3% (one patient) in the MVAC arm. Significantly more GC than MVAC patients experienced grade 3/4 anemia (GC 52%, MVAC 20%) with significantly more red blood cell transfusions in the GC arm.Significantly more GC than MVAC patients had grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (GC 54%, MVAC 17%) without grade 3/4 hemorrhage or hematuria in either arm. More MVAC patients experienced grade 3/4 neutropenia (GC 56%, MVAC 61%, p=1.000), neutropenic or leukopenic fever (GC 0%, MVAC 10%, p=0.237), mucositis (GC 0%, MVAC 7%, p=0.495), and alopecia (GC 6%, MVAC 36%, p=0.004). GC represents a reasonable alternative for the palliative treatment of patients with locally advanced and metastatic transitional cell carcinoma. Sustained long-term survival was only found for patients with locally advanced cancer, lymphatic metastases, or solitary distant metastasis but not for visceral metastatic disease.

Marked increase of the growth factors pleiotrophin and fibroblast growth factor-2 in serum of testicular cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Malignant tumors of the testis are among the most common cancers in men between the ages of 15 and 30 years. The sensitivity of detection of known tumor markers depends upon the tumor histology and stage. In other cancers, increased serum concentrations of various angiogenic growth factors have been described as potential markers for tumor progression and metastasis. One main histological feature of testicular cancer is profound angiogenesis. DESIGN: In this study, we investigated by sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) the levels of various growth and angiogenesis factors in the serum of testicular cancer patients as compared with normal control subjects. For the most profoundly increased growth factors, pleiotrophin (PTN) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), we furthermore analyzed tumor lysates by northern blotting, RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: We demonstrate a marked elevation of average serum levels of PTN ( approximately 20-fold) and of FGF-2 ( approximately 7-fold) in patients and expression of both growth factors in tumor biopsies. To a lesser extent, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) serum levels were increased, whereas FGF-4 and transforming growth factor-beta levels were similar to those in normal control subjects. Elevation of PTN, FGF-2, EGF and VEGF was detected in seminomatous as well as non-seminatous tumors, and even in early stages. CONCLUSIONS: PTN and FGF-2 may represent promising new diagnostic markers for testicular cancer with high sensitivity even in early-stage testicular cancer. Further studies are warranted to extend our analyses.

Comparison of German language versions of the QWB-SA and SF-36 evaluating outcomes for patients with prostate disease.

BACKGROUND: The quality of well-being scale (QWB) and the Medical Outcome Study 36-item short form (SF-36) are alternative methods for measuring general health outcomes. Few studies compare these approaches against one another and no studies have compared German language versions. METHOD: A German language version of the self-administered quality of well-being scale (QWB-SA) was developed using forward and back translation methods. The German QWB-SA and a German language version of the SF-36 were administered to clinical population groups with current diagnoses of prostate cancer, benign hyperplasia of the prostate, colon cancer, and rectal cancer. Data were obtained from four German clinics. In addition to the quality of life measures, data on cancer stage and disease state were obtained. RESULTS: The QWB-SA and SF-36 were highly correlated. The QWB-SA was systematically related to disease state. Those with no symptomatic evidence had the highest scores followed by those who were stable with no metastatic disease and those with metastatic progression. Similar patterns were found for most SF-36 scales although the SF-36 failed to discriminate between those with no evidence of disease and those with stable disease without metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Both the QWB-SA and SF-36 perform as expected using German language translations. Although both measures differentiate patients with metastasis from those without symptoms, the QWB-SA better differentiated those with no evidence of disease from those with stable disease without metastasis.

[Interdisciplinary consensus on diagnosis and therapy of testicular tumors. Results of an update conference based on evidence-based medicine. German Testicular Cancer study Group (GTCSG)]. / Interdisziplinärer Konsensus zur Diagnostik und Therapie von Hodentumoren. Ergebnisse einer Update-Konferenz auf Grundlage evidenzbasierter Medizin (EBM). German Testicular Cancer Study Group (GTCSG).

BACKGROUND: An "Interdisciplinary Consensus Statement on the Diagnosis and Therapy of Testicular Tumors" was prepared in 1996 by the "Interdisciplinary Testicular Tumor Working Group" (IAH) with input from representatives from diagnostic and therapeutic disciplines of various working groups of the German Cancer Society (Strahlenther Onkol 1997;173:397-406). In 1998 the IAH met again together with the "Testicular Tumor Working Party" of the Urooncology Working Group (AUO) and formed the "German Testicular Cancer Study Group" (GTCSG). Defined and accepted interdisciplinary standards from the initial meeting were revised based on current scientific developments and clinical results. This cooperating effort increased the quality of the initial recommendations and helped to put the recommendations for diagnosing and treating testicular tumor on a broader scientific basis. METHODS: According to the principles of "evidence-based medicine" (EBM), the Consensus from 1996 was modified, based on the current level of evidence from the published literature. The methodological process and evaluation criteria used were that of the "Cochrane Collaboration". RESULTS: An "Interdisciplinary Update Consensus Statement" summarizes and defines the diagnostic and therapeutic standards according to the current scientific practices in testicular cancer. For 21 separate areas scientifically based decision criteria are suggested. For treatment areas where more than one option exist without a consensus being reached for a preferred strategy, such as in seminoma in clinical Stage I or in non-seminoma Stages CS I or CS IIA/B, all acceptable alternative strategies with their respective advantages and disadvantages are presented. This "Interdisciplinary Update Consensus" was presented at the 24th National Congress of the German Cancer Society on March 21st and subsequently evaluated and approved by the various German scientific medical societies.

Radiotherapy for stages I and IIA/B testicular seminoma.

Radiotherapy is generally accepted as a standard treatment for early-stage testicular seminoma. Relapse rates of 2% to 5% in clinical stage I and 10% to 20% in stage IIA/B (according to the Royal Marsden classification) can be achieved. Disease-specific survival reaches 100%. With such excellent cure rates, treatment-related side effects gain particular importance. Therefore, a prospective multicenter trial was initiated for radiotherapy of testicular seminoma with limited treatment portals and low total doses of irradiation. In clinical stage I, 483 patients were treated with 26 Gy to the para-aortic region only. In stage IIA, 42 patients and, in stage IIB, 18 patients received irradiation to the para-aortic and high iliac lymph nodes with 30 and 36 Gy, respectively. With a median time to follow-up of 55 months for stage I and 55.5 months for stage IIA/B, there were 18 (3.7%) and 4 (6.7%) cases of relapse in both treatment groups. Disease-specific survival was 99.6% in stage I and 100% in stage IIA/B. Acute toxicity was dominated by moderate gastro-intestinal side effects. No major late toxicity has been observed to date. Limited volume pure para-aortic treatment for stage I and para-aortic/high iliac irradiation for stage IIA/B with 26, 30 and 36 Gy, respectively, yields excellent cure rates with only moderate acute toxicity and is therefore recommended as standard treatment.

Risk factors for relapse in stage I non-seminomatous germ-cell tumors: preliminary results of the German Multicenter Trial. German Testicular Cancer Study Group.

Risk factor analysis to identify low-risk patients for occult metastatic disease (vascular invasion, percentage embryonal carcinoma, MIB-I proliferation rate) yields reliable results if performed by experts. A correct prediction is possible at the 90% level. Similar accuracy, however, may be achieved if the computed tomography (CT) staging is optimized and the evaluation performed by an experienced investigator. The combination of both methods (biological risk factor analysis and CT staging) may virtually exclude the risk of relapse in a limited number of patients. However, so far, no risk factor that is able to reliably predict occult metastatic disease or relapse in clinical state I patients has been identified in prospective trials. The preliminary results of the current German Multicenter Trial suggest an inferior value of prediction for low-risk patients if risk factor analysis and/or CT staging is performed in non-specialized centers.

Weekly gemcitabine and cisplatin combination therapy in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium: a phase II clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of gemcitabine and cisplatin combination therapy in patients with advanced and/or metastatic transitional cell urothelial carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two chemonaïve patients with Karnofsky performance status (KPS) > or = 70 were treated with cisplatin 35 mg/m2 followed by gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 (30 min i.v. infusion) on days 1, 8, and 15 every twenty-eight days. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were evaluable for efficacy. Half had visceral disease. There were seven complete (18%) and nine partial responses (24%), for a response rate of 42% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 26%-59%). Responses were independently reviewed. Median response duration was 13.5 months (95% CI: 8.5-18.1 months), median time to progressive disease 7.2 months (95% CI: 4.0-9.1 months) and median survival 12.5 months (95% CI: 8.1-18.7 months); one-year survival was 52%. Laboratory toxicities included leucopenia (44% grade 3; 17% grade 4), neutropenia (25% grade 3; 33% grade 4) and thrombocytopenia (29% grade 3; 49% grade 4). Four patients had grade 4 symptomatic toxicity (three nausea and vomiting, one diarrhoea). There were no grade 4 infections and no toxic deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is active in patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The weekly schedule of cisplatin is considered inappropriate.

[In which marker-positive patients with germ cell tumors is residual tumor resection of value?]. / Bei welchen markerpositiven Patienten mit Keimzelltumoren ist die Residualtumorresektion sinnvoll?

We analyzed 33 patients with disseminated germ cell tumors (GCT) who underwent residual tumor resection (RTR) during the period from 1991-1997. The patients were marker positive prior to surgery were analyzed. The histopathological examination of the resected masses, the marker dynamics and the relapse-free respectively the progression free survival, were evaluated. The status differed at primary diagnosis: minimal disease n = 1, moderate disease n = 15, advanced disease n = 17. The patients received at average 8.5 cisplatin-containing cycles of polychemotherapy. Only 11 patients underwent surgery after first-line-chemotherapy. The remaining received second- or third-line-chemotherapy prior to surgery. In 12 of 31 evaluable patients, a durable CR was achieved. The median follow-up for this group is 30 months (2-58 months). The histopathologic examination of the resected specimen and the tumor marker level prior to RTR do not permit determination of prognostic outcome. After operation 44% of the AFP-positive and 30% of the beta-HCG-positive patients had a durable remission. If tumor marker levels at time of RTR are within normal range, disease-free survival is 72%; in case of elevated markers 39% will survive. If intensive chemotherapy fails to normalize markers, RTR remains the only option to change the fatal course of the disease.

Nephrotoxicity after high-dose carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide in germ-cell tumors: incidence and implications for hematologic recovery and clinical outcome.

High-dose carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide (CEI) is an active chemotherapy regimen (HDCT) in solid tumors and lymphomas. In patients with previous exposure to cisplatin, its nephrotoxicity is dose-limiting. To determine the implications of nephrotoxicity on hematological recovery and clinical outcome, we analyzed 150 consecutive patients with germ cell tumors treated between August 1989 and September 1995 with carboplatin 1500-2000 mg/m2, etoposide 1200-2400 mg/m2, and ifosfamide 0-10 g/m2 followed by either BM or PBPC rescue. Five patients died (3%), three in the context of severe renal toxicity and early multiorgan failure. Overall, acute nephrotoxicity occurred in 43/150 (29%) patients, particularly at doses of carboplatin >1500 mg/m2. Hemodialysis was required in 12/150 (8%) patients, but could be discontinued until discharge in all except two survivors. Nephrotoxicity did not delay hematologic recovery when adjusted for the use of PBPC and hematopoietic growth factors by multivariate analysis, but resulted in higher transfusion requirements, more overall toxicities and a longer hospital stay. There were no differences in the response rates or survival in patients with or without nephrotoxicity. Acute nephrotoxicity is a frequent and clinically relevant complication of CEI in germ cell tumors. The acute side-effects from CEI are reversible in the majority of patients.

[Rare metabolic and cerebral complications after polychemotherapy of a testicular tumor]. / Seltene metabolische und zerebrale Komplikationen nach Polychemotherapie eines Hodentumors.

In a 21-year-old patient with a tumor of the right testis, CT indicated a pathologically altered lymph node in the interaortocaval region. After high inguinal orchiectomy we performed a modified retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and monitored its success by immediate section for microscopic examination. Pathohistological investigation yielded immature teratoma. The patient was given two courses of adjuvant polychemotherapy containing cisplatin. Two days after the conclusion of the second course he was readmitted with grand mal epilepsy and visual agnosia. Two months later another grand mal epileptic fit occurred. The patient also suffered from marked metabolic disorders, such as hypokalemia, hyperreninism, hyperaldosteronism, kaliuresis, and hypertension. We consider these to be toxic side effects of cisplatin resulting in nephropathy. Evidence of cisplatin-induced encephalopathy was obtained by NMR tomography and EEG which indicated barrier disorders. Symptoms were relieved and continuous normalization of blood pressure, potassium level, and water and electrolyte balance was achieved by the administration of potassium substitution, ACE inhibition, and an aldosterone antagonist. The patient has since remained in a stable condition.