Surveillance of postchemotherapy subcentimeter residual retroperitoneal mass in metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor: Does how you measure matter?

BACKGROUND: Approximately 70% to 80% of patients with metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy achieve a complete response, defined as normalization of serum tumor markers and either no residual retroperitoneal mass (RRM) or an RRM <1.0 cm. While there is universal agreement that patients with an RRM ≥1.0 cm should undergo retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), many institutions including ours recommend surveillance for patients who achieve a complete response. However, studies have not defined which axis of the RRM should be considered when deciding between surveillance and RPLND. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Good-risk metastatic NSGCT patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy who achieved a complete response and underwent surveillance were identified using our institution's electronic medical records. A post-hoc review was performed by a blinded radiologist. The RRM dimensions in the transaxial short axis (TSA), transaxial long axis (TLA), and craniocaudal axis (CCA) were recorded. Differences in the frequency of recurrence between groups with an RRM <1.0 cm and ≥1.0 cm in the TLA and CCA were assessed using the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients who met study criteria were included. At a median follow-up of 63.8 months, 2 patients (5.1%) recurred. Both were successfully treated with salvage chemotherapy and RPLND. Thirteen (33%) and 27 (69%) patients had an RRM ≥1.0 cm in the TLA and CCA, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the risk of recurrence between patients with an RRM <1.0 cm and ≥1.0 cm in the TLA (P = 0.54) or CCA (P = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS: Surveillance is an effective strategy in good-risk NSGCT patients with a postchemotherapy RRM <1.0 cm in the TSA. Our study suggests referencing the TSA and not the TLA or CCA may avoid unnecessary postchemotherapy RPLNDs.

Testicular mixed germ cell tumor presenting with seizure as the initial symptom: a case report and literature review

Abstract Most patients with testicular germ cell tumor present with a painless scrotal mass. We report a 19-year-old patient who presented with neurological complains. Rapid clinical progression to coma was noted during the staging work up. A diagnosis of testicular mixed germ cell tumor with multiorgan metastasis (lymph node, lung, liver and brain) was made. Patients with brain metastasis should receive chemotherapy alone or combined with surgery or radiotherapy. Because the clinical symptoms deteriorated quickly, surgery was used upfront followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the brain tumor. After the first stage of treatment, the clinical symptoms, tumor markers and imaging findings were improved. The residual brain tumor was eliminated by chemotherapy, and only sparse degenerated tumor cells were noted in the brain tissue. Longer follow up is required to assess the impact of our treatment strategy.

Testicular mixed germ cell tumor presenting with seizure as the initial symptom: a case report and literature review.

Most patients with testicular germ cell tumor present with a painless scrotal mass. We report a 19-year-old patient who presented with neurological complains. Rapid clinical progression to coma was noted during the staging work up. A diagnosis of testicular mixed germ cell tumor with multiorgan metastasis (lymph node, lung, liver and brain) was made. Patients with brain metastasis should receive chemotherapy alone or combined with surgery or radiotherapy. Because the clinical symptoms deteriorated quickly, surgery was used upfront followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the brain tumor. After the first stage of treatment, the clinical symptoms, tumor markers and imaging findings were improved. The residual brain tumor was eliminated by chemotherapy, and only sparse degenerated tumor cells were noted in the brain tissue. Longer follow up is required to assess the impact of our treatment strategy.

Ophthalmological changes of the posterior segment in patients with testicular cancer in a mixed-race population of the General Hospital of Mexico. / Alteraciones oftalmológicas del segmento posterior en pacientes con cáncer testicular en población latino-mestiza del Hospital General de México.

INTRODUCTION: The curing of a testicular tumour is currently feasible in more than 95% of patients, and in 80% of those with metastases. Until now, there has been no study or series of cases that describe the ocular changes of the posterior segment associated with testicular cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patients with a diagnosis of testicular cancer in order to determine the presence of changes in the posterior segment and the relationship to the stage. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted on 21 male patients (42 eyes) with a diagnosis of testicular cancer. Age, histological type, time of evolution, stage, treatment, and comorbidities were recorded, as well as visual acuity measurement (LogMAR), biomicroscopy of the anterior segment, and photographic records of the posterior pole and peripheral retina. RESULTS: The mean age was 29 years (18-43 years). All (100%) of the patients were treated surgically. The most frequent histological type was classic seminoma (42.8%), followed by the mixed germinal tumour (38.0%). At the time of evaluation, 42.8% of patients had a stage II, and 23.8% had distant metastasis. The changes in the posterior segment were: vascular tortuosity (14.2%), retinopathy associated with cancer (9.5%), choroidal metastasis (9.5%), pigmentary changes of the retinal pigment epithelium (9.5%), and retinal metastasis (4.7%). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to find changes at the level of retinal pigment epithelium, as well as vascular tortuosity, retinopathy associated with cancer, and choroidal and/or retina metastases.

Synchronous versus metachronous brain metastasis from testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT): an analysis from the Spanish Germ Cell Cancer Group data base.

BACKGROUND: Brain metastases of testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) are a rare event. Prognostic is poor and there is not much evidence on optimal management of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review of case records of germ cell tumor patients within the Spanish Germ Cell Cancer Group data base from 1994 to 2012 was conducted. RESULTS: Thirty-three out of 6,200 cases (0.5 %). Nineteen patients (57 %) group 1: synchronous, 13 (40 %) group 2: metachronous and only one developed brain metastasis during cisplatin-based chemotherapy (excluded from the analysis). Median serum BHCG levels at initial diagnosis was higher in group 1, whereas elevated AFP serum levels were more common in group 2. Histology in the primary tumor: chorionic carcinoma for group 1 versus embryonal carcinoma for group 2. Mainly solitary brain metastasis in group 2 (54 versus 21 %, respectively). The median overall survival from the diagnosis of central nervous system involvement was 16 months for group 1 (CI 95 % 13.9-18) and 23 months (95 % CI 0-165) for group 2 (log rank p = 0.84). Long-term survivors were practically identical in the two groups (38.9 % group 1 versus 38.5 % group 2). Regardless of the timing of brain metastasis, those patients that achieved complete response to the treatment had better survival (log rank p 0.003). CONCLUSION: Although some distinctive clinical characteristics have been found between patients with synchronous versus metachronous brain metastasis from TGCT, the timing of brain metastasis did not seem to have prognostic influence, but due to the retrospective nature of the analysis and the results should be interpreted with caution.

Trombocitopenia severa como manifestación de un tumor testicular de células germinales con metástasis cardíaca intracavitaria / Testicular tumor with intracardiac metastasis presenting as severe thrombocytopenia

Se describe el caso de un hombre de 24 años que se presenta con Púrpura trombocitopénico, cuyo estudio ecocardiográfico y tomografía computada demostró masa tumoral ocupando las cavidades derechas. Se evidenció posteriormente un tumor testicular izquierdo con componentes de seminoma y teratoma. Se resecó el tumor testicular y posteriormente el tumor intracardíaco, con normalización del recuento plaquetario.

A 24 year old man presented with severe thrombocytopenia. An intracardiac mass was shown to be a metastasis from a malignant testicular tumor. Resection of the primary tumor and the intracardiac metastasis led to full recovery of thrombocytopenia.

During twenty years of Cisplatin-based therapy the face of nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors is still changing: an evaluation of presentation, management, predictive factors and survival.

PURPOSE: To assess the changing presentation and treatment of nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSGCT) and to investigate predictive factors for the status of metastasis at diagnosis and on relapse and death. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective record review of 147 patients that underwent inguinal orchiectomy from 1987-2007. Follow-up data was available for 102 patients (median follow-up: 80 months (0-243); 96 patients alive). RESULTS: Mean patients age increased (p = 0.015) and more patients were diagnosed in clinical stage I (CSI) (p = 0.040). The fraction of yolk sac (YS) elements inclined (p = 0.030) and pT2 tumors increased (p < 0.001). Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) declined whereas more patients were treated with chemotherapy (p < 0.001; p = 0.004). There was an increase in relapse free (RFS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) due to an improvement in patients with disseminated disease (p = 0.014; p < 0.001). The presence of YS and teratoma elements showed a reduction in the odds ratio (OR) for metastasis at diagnosis (p = 0.002, OR: 0.262; p = 0.009, OR: 0.428) whereas higher pT-stage was associated to their presence (p = 0.039). Patients with disseminated disease (CS > I) showed a declined CSS compared to CSI patients (p = 0.055). The presence of YS elements was associated to an improved RFS (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: In our single institution study the face of NSGCT markedly changed over 20 years even after the introduction of Cisplatin-based chemotherapy. These changes were accompanied by an improvement in RFS and CSS. When dealing with NSGCT patients such observations now and in the future should be taken into account.

During twenty years of Cisplatin-based therapy the face of nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors is still changing: an evaluation of presentation, management, predictive factors and survival

Purpose: To assess the changing presentation and treatment of nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSGCT) and to investigate predictive factors for the status of metastasis at diagnosis and on relapse and death. Materials and Methods: Retrospective record review of 147 patients that underwent inguinal orchiectomy from 1987-2007. Follow-up data was available for 102 patients (median follow-up: 80 months (0-243); 96 patients alive). Results: Mean patients age increased (p = 0.015) and more patients were diagnosed in clinical stage I (CSI) (p = 0.040). The fraction of yolk sac (YS) elements inclined (p = 0.030) and pT2 tumors increased (p < 0.001). Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) declined whereas more patients were treated with chemotherapy (p < 0.001; p = 0.004). There was an increase in relapse free (RFS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) due to an improvement in patients with disseminated disease (p = 0.014; p < 0.001). The presence of YS and teratoma elements showed a reduction in the odds ratio (OR) for metastasis at diagnosis (p = 0.002, OR: 0.262; p = 0.009, OR: 0.428) whereas higher pT-stage was associated to their presence (p = 0.039). Patients with disseminated disease (CS > I) showed a declined CSS compared to CSI patients (p = 0.055). The presence of YS elements was associated to an improved RFS (p = 0.038). Conclusions: In our single institution study the face of NSGCT markedly changed over 20 years even after the introduction of Cisplatin-based chemotherapy. These changes were accompanied by an improvement in RFS and CSS. When dealing with NSGCT patients such observations now and in the future should be taken into account. .

Linfadenectomía lumboaórtica laparoscópica para cáncer testicular no seminomatoso estadio clínico I / Laparoscopic lumbo-aortic lymph-node dissection in clinical stage i non-seminomatous testicular germ-cell tumors

Reportar la morbilidad y resultados oncológicos de la Linfadenectomía Lumboaórtica por vía laparoscópica (LLA lap) en pacientes portadores de tumor de células germinales no seminomatoso (TCGNS) estadio I, operados en el Hospital Ramón Barros Luco Trudeau. Pacientes y Métodos: Entre octubre de 2005 y agosto de 2008, 29 pacientes con TCGNS estadio I, fueron sometidos a LLA lap. No se realizó selección de pacientes en relación a los hallazgos anatomopatológicos o a la presencia de factores de riesgo. La Linfadenectomía retroperitoneal fue realizada por el mismo cirujano, respetando los límites descritos por Weissbach y Boedefeld. Resultados: De los 29 pacientes operados, el procedimiento fue completado en su totalidad por vía laparoscópica. La pérdida sanguínea promedio fue de 27,7 cc (5–250). No fue necesaria tranfusión sanguínea. El tiempo operatorio promedio fue de 170 min (150–240). El número de ganglios resecados promedio fue de 12,8 (4–25). El tiempo de hospitalización fue de 2 días. Se registró una complicación vascular intraoperatoria, que se manejo satisfactoriamente sin necesidad de conversión. Se preservó la eyaculación anterograda en la totalidad de los pacientes. Cuatro pacientes (13,8 por ciento) tuvieron estadio patológico IIa y recibieron quimioterapia adyuvante con Cisplatino, Etopósido y Bleomicina. Durante un periodo de seguimiento promedio de 19 meses (2-36) ninguno de los pacientes ha presentado recidiva. Conclusión: La Linfadenectomía Lumboaórtica por vía Laparoscópica ha demostrado ser una excelente herramienta de estadificación, la cual ofrece una alternativa mínimamente invasiva a la cirugía convencional abierta. Los resultados de la serie, durante el periodo de seguimiento, demuestran su equivalencia oncológica a la cirugía abierta, sumándose los beneficios de la técnica laparoscópica que incluyen, una menor morbilidad y una mejoría tanto en la visualización intraoperatoria, resultado estético como en la calidad de vida del paciente.

To report the morbidity and oncological results of laparoscopic lumbo-aortic lymph-node dissection (LLA lap) in clinical stage I non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (TCGNS), operated at the Hospital Ramón Barros Luco Trudeau.Patients and Methods: Between October 2005 and August 2008, 29 patients with stage I TCGNS, underwent LLA lap. No patient selection was made in relation to the pathological findings or the presence of risk factors. Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy was performed by the same surgeon within the limits described by Weissbach and Boedefeld. Results: The procedure was completed in its entirety with laparoscopic procedure. The average blood loss was 27.7 cc (5-250). There was no blood tranfusion. The average operative time was 170 min (150-240). The average number of lymph nodes resected was 12.8 (4-25). The hospitalization time was 2 days. There was an intraoperative vascular complication, which satisfactorily manage without conversion to open surgery. Antegrade ejaculation was preserved in all patients. 4 patients (13.8 percent) had pathological stage II received adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin. During an average follow-up period of 19 months (2-36) none of the patients presented recurrence. Conclusion: The laparoscopic lumbo-aortic lymph-node dissection has proven to be an excellent staging tool, which offers a minimally invasive alternative to conventional open surgery. The results of the series during the follow-up period, demonstrate oncological equivalence to open surgery, adding the benefits of laparoscopic technique including a lower morbidity and an improvement in intraoperative visualization, aesthetic result and the quality of patient’s life.

Treatment experiences of testicular cancer in Hispanic patients with Down's syndrome at the National Cancer Institute of Mexico.

We present 4 case studies of patients with Down's syndrome and testicular germ-cell cancer, treated with conventional methods at the National Cancer Institute of Mexico, with similar outcomes as patients without this syndrome. There are several reports of testicular cancer arising in patients with Down's syndrome worldwide, mainly from Caucasian populations. We discuss some theories about the association and the possible increase of incidence.

Extragonadal retroperitoneal germ cell tumor: primary versus metastases?

OBJECTIVE: Primary extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare and their histogenetic origin is not clear. We describe two cases presenting as primary retroperitoneal germ cell tumors without clinical evidence of testicular tumor. METHODS: A 21 and 18 years-old patients presented retroperitoneal choriocarcinoma and yolk sac tumor, respectively. In both cases, testicular palpation was not suspicious for testicular cancer. Testicular ultrasound founded alterations in right testes. RESULTS: A right orchitectomy were performed and the final diagnostics were mature teratoma associated with intratubular malignant germ cell. CONCLUSION: Adult mature teratoma is infrequent and the retroperitoneal germ cell tumors should be considered to be metastases of a viable or burned-out testicular cancer.

Gastrointestinal bleeding as the first manifestation of a burned-out tumour of the testis.

We discuss the clinical presentation and course of the disease of a 25-year-old male who had gastrointestinal (GIT) symptoms secondary to retroperitoneal lymph node proliferation of a germ-cell tumour of the testis. The pathology evaluation of the orchiectomy specimen classified it as a burned-out tumour of the testis, given the lack of tumour elements and the presence of typical scarring tissue. Biological is-sues leading to tumour regression are discussed, as well.