Oncological outcomes in non-seminomatous testicular tumors and residual mass after cisplatin-based chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study is to describe the progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with clinical stage (CS) II and III NSGCT with an RM after primary or secondary CT with negative serum markers (NSM). A residual mass (RM) in non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) after chemotherapy (CT) is defined as a mass >1 cm in greatest diameter. The preferred treatment for RM is retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), with a cure rate greater than 80%. Methods: We identified 60 patients with NSGCT, RM, and NSM between 2007 and 2020. Data regarding clinical and oncological outcomes as well as pathological information were obtained in a retrospective fashion from our electronic database. Results: A total of 60 patients were included. 50% of cases were CS II, and 50% CS III. About 90% of the patients had undergone RPLND. Teratoma was found in 73.6% of these patients. PFS and OS were better in CS II patients, compared to CS III. The patients treated with observation were found to have a shorter PFS compared to patients who underwent RPLND. Patients with viable tumors after RPLND had shorter OS compared to patients with teratoma and fibrosis. Conclusions: RPLND continues to be the treatment of choice to patients with RM after CT and NSM.

Keywords

• Non seminomatous testicular tumor. Residual mass. Cisplatin based chemotherapy.