Mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (MNSGCT) treated with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy

Background: Primary mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (MNSGCT)constitute a rare malignancy. This study was performed to review ourexperience with cispatin-based chemotherapy in patients with MNSGCT.Patients and methods: Patients with MNSGCT treated with cisplatin-basedcombination chemotherapy between 1978–1995 in three university hospitalsin Spain were retrospectively studied.Results: There were 25 males and two females with a median age of 26 years(range 4–71). Fifteen patients had disease confined to the mediastinumand 12 had metastatic disease. All patients were treated with cisplatinchemotherapy regimens (PVB: 7, BEP: 6, and other regimens 12) and consideredfor residual mass surgery (RMS) when indicated. Eleven patients (40.7%)were rendered disease-free with initial treatment: four with chemotherapyalone, one with surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy and six with chemotherapyplus RMS. Three of these patients relapsed at two, six and seven months. Theremaining 16 had unfavourable reponses (five partial response, three nochange, seven progressive disease and one toxic death) . Eleven patientsreceived salvage treatment but none of them achieved a durable response. Aftera median follow-up of 77 months (range 1–168), 10 patients remain alive.Actuarial survival at five years is 31.7%. No patients in this seriesdeveloped a haematological malignancy. Chromosomal analysis showed that 2 outof 10 patients (20%) had a 47XXY karyotype.Conclusions: Only patients who achieved disease-free status are likely tobe cured. Therefore, new up-front strategies are needed for the treatment ofMNSGCT.     

Prognostic factors in patients progressing after cisplatin-based chemotherapy for malignant non-seminomatous germ cell tumours.

The aim of this study was to define prognostic parameters for survival in patients with malignant germ cell tumours progressing after platinum-based induction chemotherapy with or without surgery. A total of 164 progressing patients (testicular: 83%, extragonadal: 17%) were identified out of 795 patients treated with platinum-based induction chemotherapy for metastatic germ cell malignancy with or without surgery. 'Progressive disease' included patients who had progressed after a previous partial or complete remission as well as patients who failed primary therapy. Salvage chemotherapy consisted of 'conventional' platinum-based chemotherapy. Prognostic factors for survival were assessed by uni- and multivariate analyses. The resulting prognostic model was validated in an independent data set of 66 similar patients. For all 164 patients the median time from start of induction chemotherapy to progression was 10 months (range: 0-99). Thirty-eight (23%) patients relapsed after 2 years. The 5-year survival rate for all progressing patients was 30% (95% confidence interval 23-38%). In the univariate analysis the following factors most importantly predicted a poor prognosis: progression-free interval < 2 years: initial poor prognosis category (MRC criteria), < CR to induction chemotherapy, initial treatment early in the 1980s and treatment given at a 'small' centre. Three prognostic factors remained in the multivariate analysis: progression-free interval, response to induction treatment and the level of serum human chronic gonadotrophin (hCG) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) at relapse. One hundred and twenty-four patients could be classified on the basis of these characteristics, Those patients with progression-free interval < 2 years, < CR to induction chemotherapy and high markers at relapse (AFP >100 kU l(-1) or hCG >100 IU l(-1)) formed a poor prognosis group of 30 patients, none of whom survived after 3 years. Patients with at most two of these three risk factors formed a good prognosis group of 94 patients (76%) with a 47% (37-56%) 5-year survival. Thirty-eight patients from the good prognosis group with a progression-free interval of >2 years had a 2-year survival of 74% (60-88%) and 5-year survival of 61%. These prognostic groups were validated in the independent data set, in which 5-year survival rates in the good and poor risk groups were 51% and 0% respectively. One-third of patients progressing during or after platinum-based induction chemotherapy for metastatic germ cell malignancy may be cured by repeated 'conventional' platinum-based chemotherapy. Good prognosis parameters are: progression-free interval of > 2 years, CR to induction treatment and normal or low serum markers at relapse (hCG < 100 IU l(-1) and AFP < 100 kU l(-1)). The results of high-dose salvage chemotherapy should be interpreted on the background of these prognostic factors.     

Paclitaxel-containing high-dose chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory testicular germ cell tumours

High-dose regimes containing etoposide, carboplatin and an oxazaphospharine can salvage 30-40% of patients with relapsed or refractory male germ cell tumours (GCTs). The additional benefit of paclitaxel in such high-dose therapy has not been tested. Between March 1995 and November 2002, 36 male GCT patients were treated with Carbop-EC-T (paclitaxel 75 mg x m(-2), etoposide 450 mg x m(-2), carboplatin AUC 10 on days -7, -5 and -3 and cyclophosphamide 60 mg x kg(-1) on days -5 and -3) followed by peripheral blood stem cell infusion (day 0). The 1-year overall survival rate for all patients is 67% (median follow-up 29 months). For the 24 patients with cisplatin-sensitive disease, the 1-year overall and event-free survivals are 88 and 64%, respectively. For those with cisplatin refractory or absolutely refractory disease, the 1-year overall survival is 25%. In all, 12 patients relapsed at a median duration of 5 months, 11 of whom have died. There were also six treatment-related deaths, five associated with pneumonitis. Pulmonary toxicity has been reported with paclitaxel in other high-dose regimes. Since altering our protocol so that paclitaxel is infused over 24 h with steroid prophylaxis, only one of 18 patients (13 testicular GCTs and five other tumour types) has had a treatment-related death. Our results suggest that Carbop-EC-T may enable a greater proportion of patients with relapsed and refractory GCTs to enter long-term remission.     

Retrospective evaluation of thromboembolic events in patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with platinum-based chemotherapy

Objectives

Thromboembolic events (TE) are common in patients with cancer and are potentially life-threatening. In lung cancer, little is known about thrombosis during chemotherapy treatment. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of TE in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), occurring during treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods

We retrospectively selected patients with NSCLC treated with platinum-based chemotherapy at the VU University Medical Center Amsterdam between 2000 and 2012. Patients who underwent recent surgery were excluded. All TE were included that occurred from start of chemotherapy treatment until 30 days after last administration.

Results

Among 784 included patients, 63 (8.0%) patients had 69 TE during treatment. Forty-five venous TE (VTE) and 24 arterial TE (ATE). Six patients had multiple events within treatment period, 3 of which had simultaneous ATE and VTE. In total, 613 patients were treated with cisplatin, 119 patients received carboplatin and 52 patients received both in first- or second-line treatment. In 8% (55/665) of the patients exposed to cisplatin a TE had occurred vs. 5% (8/171) in patients exposed to carboplatin (p = 0.42). The majority of TE occurred in the first 2 cycles (70%). History of TE was related to occurrence of TE during chemotherapy (p < 0.01). Median PFS was similar in patients with and without TE (6.2 vs. 7.2 months, respectively; p = 0.10). Median OS was significantly shorter in patients with TE (9.5 vs. 12.9 months, respectively; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

In our series, both ATE and VTE were a common finding during chemotherapy. TE was a poor prognostic factor. No difference in TE incidence was found between patients treated with cisplatin or carboplatin.     

Mutations of BRAF and RAS are rare events in germ cell tumours

The BRAF gene, one of the human isoforms of RAF, is activated by oncogenic Ras, leading to cooperative effects in cells responding to growth factor signals. Recently, somatic missense mutations in the BRAF gene have been detected in a variety of human tumors. We have studied male germ cell tumours (GCT) for probable mutations of the BRAF and Ras oncogene. Microsatellite instability (MSI) was analysed using mono- or di-nucleotide marker. Mutational analysis of 62 GCT (30 seminomas and 32 nonseminomas) was performed after microdissection of the different tumour components. The expression of Erk1/2, an important downstream point of convergence in the Ras-RAF-MEK-Erk pathway was assessed immunohistochemically. Activating BRAF missense mutations were identified in 3 out of 32 cases of nonseminomas (9%) but not in seminomas. The mutations were 1796T>A mutations and were found within the embryonic carcinoma component of these tumors. Two out of 30 seminomas (7%) and 3 out of 32 nonseminomas (9%) exhibited KRAS gene mutations. MSI was observed in 4 out 62 tumours (7%) [1 seminoma and 3 nonseminomas (embryonal carcinoma)]. All of the microsatellite instable embryonal carcinomas had a mutated BRAF gene. All 5 GCT with RAS mutations had an intact BRAF gene. We identified constitutively activated Erk in almost all tumours tested. Our data indicate that BRAF gene mutations are a rare event in GCT and are independent of KRAS mutations. In embryonal carcinomas, BRAF mutations may be linked to the proficiency of these tumours in repairing mismatched bases in DNA. The finding of activated Erk suggests a causative role for MAPK activation in GCT independent of activating BRAF or RAS mutations.     

A randomised trial of high-dose chemotherapy in the salvage treatment of patients failing first-line platinum chemotherapy for advanced germ cell tumours.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete remission or relapse from first-line chemotherapy has poor prognosis in male germ cell tumour patients. This phase III randomised trial compares conventional salvage to high-dose-intensification chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1994 and September 2001, 280 patients from 43 institutions in 11 countries, were randomly assigned to receive either four cycles of cisplatin, ifosfamide and etoposide (or vinblastine) (arm A), or three such cycles followed by high-dose carboplatin, etoposide and cyclophosphamide (CarboPEC) with haematopoietic stem cell support (arm B). RESULTS: Similar complete and partial response rates were observed in both treatment arms (56%; 95% CI 50% to 62%). There were 3% and 7% toxic deaths in arms A and B, respectively. No significant improvements with CarboPEC were observed in either 3-year event-free survival (35% versus 42%, P=0.16) or overall survival (53%; 95% CI 46% to 59%). Complete responders with CarboPEC had a significant improvement in disease-free survival (55% versus 75% at 3 years, P <0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The single cycle of high-dose salvage chemotherapy after three cycles of standard dose chemotherapy had no effect on treatment outcomes. These results suggest that data from uncontrolled studies should not be used to justify routine use of a toxic and expensive treatment without confirmation in a randomised trial.     

Attempted preservation of one gonad in patients with bilateral germ cell tumours

Almost all patients with early stage testicular or ovarian germ cell tumours can now expect to be cured of their disease. The preservation of fertility and sex hormone production after treatment are of importance in these predominantly young adults, especially in the uncommon cases of bilateral tumours. We present the case reports of a woman with bilaterial dysgerminoma and a man with bilateral testicular seminoma, who were managed by organ-sparing surgery of the least affected gonad followed by chemotherapy. Both patients regained fertility, but a further germ tumour has developed in the man's remaining testicle. The merits and potential pitfalls of this approach are discussed.     

Prognostic factors for survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy

Purpose The present study evaluated baseline patient- or tumor-related prognostic factors in patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Patients and methods A total of 304 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer treated with one or more cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital were enrolled in the current study. Results Among the original 304 patients, only 4 patients were alive at the time of this analysis. The median survival for all patients was 7.3 (95% CI, 6.3–8.2) months. Five independent prognostic factors were identified by a multivariate analysis: poor performance status (hazard ratio [HR], 1.46; 95% CI, 1.32–2.92), elevated total bilirubin (HR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.73–2.35), presence of peritoneal metastasis (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.57–1.90), presence of bone metastasis (HR, 3.11; 95% CI, 2.69–3.53), and more than 1 metastatic site (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06–1.38). A prognostic index was constructed that divided the patients into a good (n = 162), moderate (n = 82), or poor (n = 60) risk group. The 1-year survival rates for the good, moderate, and poor risk groups were 34.6, 20.7, and 1.7%, respectively, and the survival differences among the groups were highly significant (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Five prognostic factors were identified from patients receiving first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer. A simple prognostic index was then developed that produced distinct survival rates among the different risk groups. Therefore, this prognostic model could help clinicians and patients in clinical decision-making and treatment tailoring based on the estimated prognosis.     

Increased mortality rates in young and middle-aged patients with malignant germ cell tumours

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy of malignant germ cell tumours (MGCT) has been reported to increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity. A high incidence of second nongerm cell malignancies is well documented in MGCT survivors. The death risk due to these conditions is, however, more unknown in MGCT patients. Standard mortality rates (SMRs) were established in 3378 Norwegian MGCT patients treated from 1962 to 1997 aged 相似文献   

Somatic mutations of KIT in familial testicular germ cell tumours

Somatic mutations of the KIT gene have been reported in mast cell diseases and gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Recently, they have also been found in mediastinal and testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs), particularly in cases with bilateral disease. We screened the KIT coding sequence (except exon 1) for germline mutations in 240 pedigrees with two or more cases of TGCT. No germline mutations were found. Exons 10, 11 and 17 of KIT were examined for somatic mutations in 123 TGCT from 93 multiple-case testicular cancer families. Five somatic mutations were identified; four were missense amino-acid substitutions in exon 17 and one was a 12 bp in-frame deletion in exon 11. Two of seven TGCT from cases with bilateral disease carried KIT mutations compared with three out of 116 unilateral cases (P=0.026). The results indicate that somatic KIT mutations are implicated in the development of a minority of familial as well as sporadic TGCT. They also lend support to the hypothesis that KIT mutations primarily take place during embryogenesis such that primordial germ cells with KIT mutations are distributed to both testes.     

Late relapse of germ cell tumors after cisplatin-based chemotherapy

Background: Sparse data are available with regard to the incidence,clinical characteristics, therapeutic management and prognosis of malepatients with germ cell tumors, who relapse more than two years aftercompletion of cisplatin-based chemotherapy.Patients and methods: A review of 530 patients treated at twoinstitutions from 1978 to April 1994 was conducted. Twenty-five cases of laterelapse were identified. Cumulative risk of late relapse was calculatedaccording to the Kaplan–Meier method.Results: 418 of 523 patients (80%) who received theirfirst-line treatment at our institutions were relapse-free at two years. Amongthese 418 patients 18 cases (4.3%) developed a late relapse. Thecumulative risk of late relapse was 1.1% at five years and 4.0%at ten years excluding patients with prior early relapses who carried risksof 9.4% and 29%, respectively (P < 0.0001).No case of late relapse was observed among patients receiving adjuvantchemotherapy. The risk of late relapse was lower in patients with good-risknon-seminomatous germ cell tumors than in poor-risk patients according toMedical Research Council criteria (P < 0.01). Seven further patientswere referred from other institutions for treatment of late relapse. At amedian follow-up of 38 months (range, 3 to 121) after treatment of laterelapse 9 of 25 patients (36%) are continuously disease-free. Six ofthese nine patients had surgical resection of carcinoma or teratoma as acomponent of their therapy.Conclusion: The incidence of late relapse after cisplatin-basedchemotherapy of germ cell tumors is related to initial tumor burden and issomewhat higher than previously expected. Chemotherapy seems to have onlyminor curative potential, but localized resectable disease can be cured bysurgery. Annual follow-up evaluations allow to detect the majority of laterelapses at an asymptomatic stage and should be extended throughout thepatient's life.     

Alternating dose-dense chemotherapy in patients with high volume disseminated non-seminomatous germ cell tumours

Only about half of patients with a poor-prognosis non-seminomatous germ-cell tumours can achieve a cure. The aim of this phase II study was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of a dose-dense alternating chemotherapy regimen in this subset of patients. High volume non-seminomatous germ-cell tumours was defined as follows: at least two sites of non pulmonary metastases, an extragonadal primary tumour, a serum human chorionic gonadotropin level higher than 10 000 mIU x ml(-1), or a alpha-foetoprotein level higher than 2000 mIU ml(-1). Patients who fulfilled these criteria were treated with the so-called BOP-CISCA-POMB-ACE regimen (bleomycin, vincristine, and cisplatin; cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin; cisplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, and bleomycin; etoposide, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide) plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. A total of 58 patients were enrolled. Patients were retrospectively classified according to the International Germ-Cell Cancer Consensus Group classification; 38 patients (66%) had poor-prognosis disease and 19 patients (33%) had intermediate-prognosis. Patients received a median of 2.5 courses (range 0.25 to five courses) of the BOP-CISCA-POMB-ACE regimen. Forty-two patients (72.4%) had a complete response to therapy. With a median follow-up time of 31 months, the 3-year progression-free survival rate was 71% (95% confidence interval, 60 to 84%) and the 3-year overall survival rate was 73% (95% confidence interval: 62 to 86%). The 3-year PFS rates were 83% (95% confidence interval: 68 to 100%) in the intermediate-prognosis group and 65% (95% confidence interval: 51 to 82%) in the poor-prognosis group. Early side effects included mainly grade 4 haematologic toxicity (neutropaenia in 79% of patients, thrombocytopaenia in 69%, anaemia in 22%), grade 4 stomatitis (19%), and four early deaths (7% of patients), at least partially related to toxicity. The dose-dense BOP-CISCA-POMB-ACE regimen is highly active in patients with non-seminomatous germ-cell tumours classified as intermediate-prognosis or poor-prognosis according to the International Germ-Cell Cancer Consensus Group. Because outcomes with this regimen compare favourably with outcome after standard therapy, dose-dense chemotherapy should be further investigated in this subset of patients.     

Infertility rates following POMB/ACE chemotherapy for male and female germ cell tumours - a retrospective long-term follow-up study

The risk of chemotherapy-induced infertility in male and female germ cell tumour (GCT) survivors is unclear, but may correlate with cisplatin dose. Here, we examine a large series of GCT patients for the effect of chemotherapy on those attempting to have children. Our GCT database was screened for nonseminomatous GCT patients who had (1). received POMB/ACE chemotherapy (cisplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, bleomycin alternating with actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide and etoposide) and (2). stage I male GCT patients who were untreated between 1977 and 1996. Fertility was assessed by questionnaire and medical records. A total of 64 of 153 treated and 35 of 115 untreated men attempted to have children. In all, 28% (18 out of 64) receiving POMB/ACE were unsuccessful. Radiotherapy (six), atrophic remaining testis (one) or prior infertility (three) were implicated in 10 cases, so chemotherapy-induced infertility may have occurred in only 11% (eight out of 64). Strikingly, 26% (nine out of 35) of untreated stage I patients also failed to have children (three had radiotherapy, three prior infertility). Moreover, in treated men, no association was seen between cisplatin dose and infertility. In contrast, radiotherapy significantly increased male infertility (P=0.001). Of 28 treated women who attempted to have children, 25% (seven out of 28) were unsuccessful. One previously had infertility and one subsequently had successful IVF so chemotherapy-induced infertility potentially occurred in only 18% (five out of 28) and was not related to cisplatin dose. In conclusion, the risk of chemotherapy-induced infertility is low in both male and female GCT patients and does not clearly correlate with the cumulative cisplatin dose.     

Administration of cisplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma in the community

Background

Renal dysfunction, poor performance status, and comorbidities may preclude frontline cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC). The frequency of cisplatin-based chemotherapy administration in patients with advanced UC in community-based cancer centers is unknown.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate chemotherapy regimens administered to patients with the AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) stage-4 UC who, from 2001 to 2010, presented to Texas Oncology Cancer Centers. Frontline chemotherapy was classified as cisplatin based, carboplatin based, nonplatinum based, and as no chemotherapy administered.

Results

A total of 298 patients were eligible for analysis, of whom 197 (66.1%) were men. The median age was 70 years (range, 28-97 years), and the primary sites of disease were bladder (243 [81.5%]), renal pelvis (41 [13.8%]), and ureter (14 [4.7%]). Overall, the regimens administered were cisplatin based in 107 patients (35.9%), carboplatin based in 81 (27.2%), and nonplatinum based in 25 (8.4%); no chemotherapy was administered in 71 (23.8%), and data were not available in 14 patients (4.7%). Cisplatin administration was more common in patients aged ≤70 years (62/150 [41.3%]) as opposed to >70 years (45/148 [30.4%]) (P = .05). Noncisplatin regimens or no chemotherapy were trending to be more commonly administered to patients >70 years (64.2 vs. 54.7%; P = .10). Limitations of a retrospective database study apply.

Conclusion

A first-line cisplatin-based regimen was administered to 35.9% of patients who presented with AJCC stage 4 UC in a community-based cancer center network. Drug development focused on tolerable single-agent therapy or combination regimens without a cisplatin backbone should be a priority.     

Outcome of 3-day bleomycin,etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapeutic regimen for patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumours: A Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group study

BackgroundThe combination of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin (BEP) is currently the most widely used treatment for malignant ovarian germ cell tumours (MOGCTs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of the 3-day BEP regimen in Taiwan. The prognostic factors of the MOGCT patients were also analysed.Patients and methodsTwo hundred and thirty-nine cases of MOGCTs were identified from the Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group database, and 204 of those who received postoperative BEP chemotherapy were then analysed.ResultsThe estimated rate of no evidence of disease was 94.0% for 204 patients with adjuvant BEP regimen. Seven grade 3/4 haematological adverse effects including four subjects with neutropenia, one with pancytopenia and two with neutropenic fever were recorded in the 853 total courses of chemotherapeutic cycles. The rates of haematological and non-haematological adverse effects were 0.82% and 2.3%, respectively. No treatment-related mortality was noted. In the analysis of prognostic factors, only tumour stage had a significant impact on disease recurrence (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.2–94.4, p < 0.001) and disease-related mortality (95% CI, 2.2–163.9, p = 0.007).ConclusionsThe current 3-day adjuvant BEP regimen was effective and safe for patients with MOGCTs.     

Lactate dehydrogenase is not a useful marker for relapse in patients on surveillance for stage I germ cell tumours

As part of surveillance protocols for stage I germ cell tumours, many centres routinely measure human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), alpha feto-protein (AFP) as well as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In conjunction with regular imaging and clinical examination, does routine measurement of LDH add anything to our relapse/pick up rate? Records of 494 patients at Mount Vernon Hospital who relapsed on surveillance between 1985 and 2005 were examined. Of the 494 patients who relapsed, 125 had raised LDH at the time of relapse. 112 of these had a concurrent rise in either AFP, HCG or both, 11 had their disease detected on CT before the rise in LDH, one had a clinically palpable para-aortic mass and the final patient complained of back pain and his retroperitoneal disease was thus discovered on imaging. Routine measurement of LDH in patients on surveillance for stage I germ cell tumours does not add to the early detection of relapse.     

Multicentre risk-adapted management for stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumours.

BACKGROUND: The Spanish Germ Cell Group is composed of 60 centres. Our challenge was to define a surveillance protocol that would be safe and suitable regardless of population size or geographic coverage. METHODS: From January 1994 to January 2004, 589 patients with stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumours entered a risk-adapted surveillance protocol after orchiectomy. Patients with vascular or local invasion of adjacent structures (231/589; 39%) received two cycles of BE400P (bleomycin 30 U/week, etoposide 100 mg/m2 x4, cisplatinum 25 mg/m2 x4). Other patients (358/589; 61%) were kept on close follow-up (chest X-ray; serum tumour markers: first year every 2 months, second year every 3 months, third year every 4 months; abdominal computed tomography scans at every other outpatient control). The outcomes selected for the study were feasibility, relapse rate and number of patients lost to follow-up and mortality. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 40 months. In the surveillance group, 21 patients were lost to follow-up. In the chemotherapy group, two patients relapsed at 12 and 14.5 months and they are presently free of disease. In the surveillance group, 71 (19%) patients relapsed, of which 55 (71%) relapsed within the first year. Five (1.4%) patients died of their cancer. Factors associated with relapse were embryonal carcinoma and vascular invasion in patients who refused chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our risk-adapted surveillance protocol provided a low rate of recurrences.     

Post-orchidectomy radiation therapy alone for patients with early stage non-seminomatous germ cell tumours of the testis

The aim of this study was to review the patterns of disease relapse and survival outcomes for patients treated postorchidectomy with radiotherapy for early stage (I and IIA) non-seminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis (NSGCT). The clinical records were reviewed of 117 men consecutively treated at the Queensland Radium Institute from 1960–90 (inclusive) for stage I or MA NSGCT. A total of 108 patients received radiotherapy to the para-aortic nodes and ipsilateral hemipelvis following orchidectomy; nine patients received radiotherapy to the para-aortic nodes and whole pelvis. Twenty-two of 99 (22.2%) stage I and eight of 18 (44.4%) stage MA patients relapsed following definitive radiotherapy. The 5 year overall and recurrence-free survivals were 84 and 75%, respectively. Factors associated with a significantly worse outcome included: (i) patients with stage IIA disease; (ii) the presence of undifferentiated elements in the operative specimen; (iii) a primary tumor < 5 cm size; and (iv) treatment given prior to 1979. Given the unsatisfactory recurrence rate following radiation therapy alone and the availability of cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens, it is recommended that radiation therapy alone for patients with early stage NSGCT be abandoned in favour of other management strategies.