Germ Cell Tumor of the Testis: Lethal Subtypes of a Curable Cancer.

Germ cell tumor of the testis (GCT) is a curable cancer even when it is widely metastatic; however, outcomes can differ based on tumor histology. Chemo-resistance in certain phenotypes, such as teratoma and yolk sac tumor, contributes to poor clinical outcomes in some patients with GCT. Despite this resistance to S-YSTemic therapy, many of these tumor subtypes remain amenable to surgical resection and possible cure. In this study, we report on a series of seven patients highlighting two chemo-resistant subtypes of nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT), sarcomatoid yolk sac tumor (S-YST), and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) for which early resection rather than additional salvage chemotherapy or high-dose intense chemotherapy might provide a superior clinical outcome and enhance cure rate.

Neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy and lymphadenectomy for penile cancer: an international, multi-institutional, real-world study.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advance penile squamous cell carcinoma for which current evidence is lacking. METHODS: Included patients had locally advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma with clinical lymph node metastasis treated with at least 1 dose of neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to planned consolidative lymphadenectomy. Objective response rates were assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1. The primary and secondary outcomes were overall survival and progression-free survival, estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Treatment-related adverse events were graded per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0. RESULTS: A total of 209 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced and clinically node-positive penile squamous cell carcinoma. The study population consisted of 7% of patients with stage II disease, 48% with stage III, and 45% with stage IV. Grade 2 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 35 (17%) patients, and no treatment-related mortality was observed. Of the patients, 201 (97%) completed planned consolidative lymphadenectomy. During follow-up, 106 (52.7%) patients expired, with a median overall survival of 37.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] = 23.8 to 50.1 months) and median progression-free survival of 26.0 months (95% CI = 11.7 to 40.2 months). Objective response rate was 57.2%, with 87 (43.2%) having partial response and 28 (13.9%) having a complete response. Patients with objective response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a longer median overall survival (73.0 vs 17.0 months, P < .01) compared with those who did not. The lymph node pathologic complete response rate was 24.8% in the cohort. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with lymphadenectomy for locally advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma is well tolerated and active to reduce the disease burden and improve long-term survival outcomes.

Corporal Skip Metastases in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Unknown and Distinct Pattern of Spread with Poor Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is characterised by stepwise lymphatic dissemination. Skip metastases (SkMs) are rare metastases in the corpus cavernosum or spongiosum without continuity to the primary tumour or its resection site. OBJECTIVE: To assess the distinct pattern of spread in SkM+ patients and the effect of SkM on prognosis. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with SkM+ PSCC at ten high-volume international referral centres between January 2006 and May 2022. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We evaluated histopathological data, primary lymph node (LN) staging, and metastatic spread. We included a cohort of patients matched for pT stage, LN status, and grade who did not have SkM (SkM-) to compare the SkM prognosis and predictive value for cancer-specific mortality (CSM). RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Among the 63 SkM+ patients who met our inclusion criteria, the SkM diagnosis was synchronous in 54.0% and metastases were mostly located in the corpus cavernosum. SkM was symptomatic in 14% of cases, was detected on imaging in 32%, and was found incidentally on pathological examination in 27%. Fifty-one patients (81%) presented with positive LNs and 28 (44%) developed distant metastases. Seven patients (11%) presented with or developed distant metastasis without displaying any LN involvement. The 2-yr cancer-specific survival estimates were 36% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25-52%) for SkM+ and 66% (95% CI 55-80%) for matched SkM- patients (p < 0.001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, SkM presence was an independent predictor for higher CSM (hazard ratio 2.05, 95% CI 1.06-4,12; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: PSCC-related SkM is associated with aggressive disease behaviour and poor survival outcomes. Palpation of the entire penile shaft is essential, and distant staging is recommended in patients suspected of having SkM owing to the tendency for distant metastatic spread. PATIENT SUMMARY: We investigated outcomes for patients with cancer of the penis who had metastases in the tissues responsible for erection. We found that metastases in this location were associated with poor prognosis, even in the absence of more typical spread of cancer via the lymph nodes.

Completion of Fetal Anatomy Evaluations in Women With Body Mass Index ≥ 50 kg/m2.

OBJECTIVES: As maternal body mass index (BMI) increases, fetal anatomy ultrasound becomes more challenging, less sensitive, and less likely to be complete. We sought to report our experience of incomplete evaluation of anatomy in patients with BMI of 50 kg/m2 or greater. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort of singleton gestations in mothers with BMI of 50 kg/m2 or greater, undergoing anatomy evaluations between 2017 and 2021 at 9 maternal-fetal-medicine sites in Houston, TX. Patient variables and scan results were collected throughout pregnancy to provide a longitudinal assessment of the primary outcome, completion rate (percent of all scans which optimally captured 24 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine-recommended images). Secondary outcomes included the rate of optimal capture of each individual structure. RESULTS: In total, 293 patients with BMI ≥50 kg/m2 were identified. Only 28% of initial scans were complete, but over the entire pregnancy, a complete anatomic evaluation was achieved in 76% of women, largely due to weekly ultrasounds done for antenatal testing later in pregnancy. Neither BMI, placental location, nor amniotic fluid volume affected completion rate. The most difficult views are the outflow tracts, 4-chamber view, and spine. CONCLUSIONS: One quarter of women with BMI of 50 kg/m2 or greater will not have a complete fetal anatomic evaluation by the end of pregnancy, since even basic fetal anatomic views are technically challenging to complete. Solutions deserve further attention, and may include first trimester imaging, transvaginal imaging, and optimization of ultrasound machine settings.