Treatment of stages B3 and C seminoma with chemotherapy followed by irradiation therapy. Southwest Oncology Group Study

Management of recurrence and follow-up strategies for patients with seminoma and selected high-risk groups

Seminoma is characterized by high sensitivity to both radiation and chemotherapy. Localized recurrences in the retroperitoneum after surveillance for stage I can be treated with radiotherapy; however, multiple or large bulky retroperitoneal recurrences or systemic metastasis requires cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Salvage chemotherapy for those who recur after initial CR to induction chemotherapy is based on ifosfamide- and cisplatin-containing regimens. Incomplete response or failure after induction chemotherapy requires high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell rescue. Patients with seminoma need long-term follow-up because of the possibility of late recurrence and the risk of a second primary tumor.

The management of residual masses after chemotherapy in metastatic seminoma

OBJECTIVE

To review our experience in management of residual masses after chemotherapy for metastatic seminoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study comprised a review of 107 patients with metastatic seminoma, treated with initial chemotherapy from 1978 to 1996. Forty-three patients had residual masses detected by computed tomography after chemotherapy, while 64 achieved a complete response. Residual masses were classified radiologically as <3 cm or >/=3 cm and as well- or poorly defined. Of the patients with residual masses, 19 underwent surgery, while 24 were observed.

RESULTS

Viable cancer was present in six of 11 patients with well-defined residual masses of >/=3 cm (positive histology in three of six undergoing surgery and site relapses in three of five observed), one of 14 patients with poorly defined masses of >/=3 cm (negative histology in nine undergoing surgery and site relapse in one of five observed), and in none of 17 patients with residual masses of <3 cm (negative histology in four undergoing surgery and no site relapses in 13 observed; one additional patient in this group died from treatment complications).

CONCLUSION

Patients with a complete response after chemotherapy, a residual mass of <3 cm and a poorly defined residual mass of >/=3 cm can be observed, reserving intervention for recurrent or progressive disease. Well-defined residual masses of >/=3 cm should be resected because there is a 55% likelihood of persistent tumour.