Germ Cell Tumors of the Testis

Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in men aged 20 to 35 years and accounts for approximately 1% of all male malignancies. Through the appropriate utilization of clinical trials, effective treatment paradigms have been developed for the management of all stages of testicular cancer. The multidisciplinary approach to the management of germ cell tumors of the testis has resulted in survival rates of > 90% overall. This review summarizes the principal management of germ cell tumors of the testis, highlighting the indications for surgery, controversies surrounding the integration of surgery, and alternative management strategies.     

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for high-risk stage I and stage IIA seminoma

Introduction: The clinical results of radiotherapy in low-stage seminoma are excellent with negligible early morbidity. However, in a long-term follow-up various complications may occur. On the other hand, experience in nonseminomas shows that surgical morbidity has decreased markedly after invention of a nerve-sparing technique. These issues served as a rationale for us to perform the primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in seminoma patients. Materials and methods: Fourteen pure seminoma patients (10 high-risk stage I and four with clinical stage IIA) underwent nerve-sparing RPLND from September, 1997 to December, 2002. Results: Pathological evaluation revealed lymph node involvement in three out of 10 clinical stage I and in all four stage IIA cases. The patients’ acceptance of the surgery was good. Minor intra- and early postoperative complications were observed in two cases. Antegrade ejaculation was preserved in all patients. No retroperitoneal or distant recurrences have been observed. All patients were free of disease with the mean follow-up period of 56 months. Conclusion: The excellent results and minimum morbidity of nerve-sparing RPLND together with the increased concerns on late complications of radiotherapy may turn the preference of surgery in low-stage seminoma into the subject of future discussion.     

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic germ cell tumours

INTRODUCTION

In the North Trent Cancer Network (NTCN) patients requiring retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for metastatic testicular cancer have been treated by vascular service since 1990. This paper reviews our experience and considers the case for involvement of vascular surgeons in the management of these tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients referred by the NTCN to the vascular service for retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy between 1990 and 2009 were identified through a germ cell database. Data were supplemented by a review of case notes to record histology, intraoperative and postoperative details.

RESULTS

A total of 64 patients were referred to the vascular service for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, with a median age of 29 years (16–63 years) and a median follow-up of 4.9 years. Ten patients died: eight from tumour recurrence, one from septicaemia during chemotherapy and one by suicide. Of the 54 who survived, 7 were alive with residual masses and 47 patients were disease-free at the last follow-up. Sixteen patients required vascular procedures: four had aortic repair (fascia), three had aortic replacement (spiral graft), four had inferior vena cava resection, two had iliac artery replacement and two had iliac vein resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection often involves mobilisation and/or the resection/replacement of major vessels. We recommend that a vascular surgeon should be a part of testicular germ cell multidisciplinary team.     

Minimally invasive retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common solid organ malignancy in young men between the ages of 15 and 35. Although much of this increase in survival can be attributed to improvements in systemic chemotherapy, surgery retains a critical role in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of testicular cancer. Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is an effective staging and therapeutic procedure in patients with low-stage testicular cancer. It is an attractive alternative to the open approach, with faster recovery, improved cosmesis, and reduced post-operative morbidity driving its application. In experienced hands, it can be used in postchemotherapy patients.     

La densidad de los ganglios linfáticos en la linfadenectomía retroperitoneal como marcador novel para predecir la recurrencia en pacientes con cáncer testicular de células germinales: estudio de casos y controles y experiencia clínica a largo plazo de un hospital de referencia terciario

Introduction and objectivesIn this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate lymph node (LN) density in retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) to analyze whether residual mass after chemotherapy might behave as predicting factor for recurrence in patients with germ cell testicular cancer (GCTC).Materials and methodsThe data of 185 patients that were operated between 12/2004 and 02/2017 because of GCTC were reviewed retrospectively. LN density was calculated. The patients were compared statistically in terms of demographic features, tumor characteristics, serum tumor marker levels, treatment strategies, and pathological results according to GCTC subtypes. Correlation analysis was performed to determine the parameters related to recurrent disease.ResultsThe median follow-up was 79 (31-179) months and the median age of the patients was 23 (16-71). The median tumor size was 4 (1-18) cm. Five (2.7%) patients had metastatic disease at initial diagnosis. Seminoma, non-seminomatous-GCT and mix type-GCTC was detected in 62 (33.5%), 60 (32.4%) and 63 (34.1%) patients, respectively. Following inguinal orchiectomy, 48 (25.9%) patients underwent follow-up, 126 (68.1%) patients underwent chemotherapy and 11 (5.9%) patients underwent radiotherapy. A total of 21 (11.4%) patients underwent post-chemotherapy RPLND. Early and late recurrence was seen in 3 (1.6%) and 2 (1.1%) of the patients, respectively. A mild to moderate, negative, but significant correlation was found between the recurrence and the number of LNs containing metastatic deposits and LN density (r= –0.490, P=.024 and r= –0.450, P=.041, respectively).ConclusionsThere was a negative correlation between the number of LNs containing metastatic deposits and LN density and recurrent disease.     

Long-term outcome of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in the management of testis cancer

In low volume testicular cancer, (clinical stage A/B1) retroperitoneal lymph node dissection has maintained its therapeutic benefit while minimizing morbidity with the reduction of the surgical template from a full bilateral dissection to a unilateral nerve-sparring surgery. The optimal treatment for low stage disease is largely patient driven with surgery and surveillance considered the primary treatment modalities. In the post chemotherapy population, patients with complete radiographic resolution of retroperitoneal disease are observed at Indiana University as the relapse rate in this population is ~5%. Residual masses after chemotherapy should be resected. A modified post chemotherapy dissection is adequate in low volume disease restricted to the primary landing zone of the affected testicle. In chemo-refractory disease, aggressive surgery provides a 5 year survival of 31% for patients with active cancer. Excluding chemo-naïve patients, late relapse disease is managed surgically with 50% being cured of disease.     

The management of subcentimeter residual mass in NSGCT: pcRPLND vs. observation

Patients with advanced non-seminomatous germ cell tumors may achieve a serologic and radiographic complete response (CR) to first-line chemotherapy (defined as a residual mass < 1 cm in size). Recent reports suggest that these patients may be observed with a low rate of relapse but there remain compelling arguments for surgical excision. The arguments for and against post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (pcRPLND) are presented. There is clear consensus that patient's with residual masses > 1 cm should undergo post-chemotherapy surgery.     

乳腺癌分子分型与腋窝淋巴结外科处理

目的探讨乳腺癌分子分型是否影响腋窝淋巴结的术式选择。方法检索有关乳腺癌分子分型与腋窝淋巴结转移情况的文献并进行综述。结果三阴型乳腺癌患者的前哨淋巴结与非前哨淋巴结阳性率均较低,luminalB型和HER-2过表达型患者的腋窝淋巴结转移率较高,尤其是luminalB型乳腺癌患者,其前哨淋巴结阳性率、非前哨淋巴结阳性率均较其他分子分型高,对于行保乳手术的老年患者,当仅有1～2枚前哨淋巴结转移时,可免行腋窝淋巴结清扫;对于肿瘤体积较大的年轻患者,即使前哨淋巴结阴性,非前哨淋巴结阳性的可能性仍然较大,行腋窝淋巴结清扫可能会使这部分患者受益。结论对于腋窝淋巴结的术式选择,乳腺癌分子分型也是需要考虑的因素之一。