Complex treatment of residual metastatic germ cell cancer: A single center experience

BACKGROUND

Testicular cancer is the most common solid malignancy among men aged 15-35. Radical orchiectomy and platinum-based chemotherapy (BEP) are curative in the majority of patients, including advanced, metastatic cases. According to current urooncology guidelines all non-seminoma patients harbouring post-chemotherapy residual masses of ≥ 1 cm should undergo salvage retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). However, only 10% of residual tumors contain viable disease.

OBJECTIVE

To assess patient outcomes and complications considering different treatment regimens and clinical characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a retrospective cross-sectional study patients (n=127) who underwent postchemotherapy RPLND between 2007 and 2023 at our referral center were evaluated. The patients received systemic treatment at various oncology centers. The number of BEP cycles received were occasionally different from standard. Only patients with normal postchemotherapy serum tumor markers and primary testicular or extragonadal germ cell neoplasms were included. Treatment groups were established according to the number of BEP cycles received, and the extent of RPLND (bilateral or modified template). Treatment outcomes and complications were assessed.

RESULTS

Standard 3-4 courses of BEP were received by 100 (78,7%) patients, while 11 (8,7%) patients underwent less, and 16 (12,6%) more courses than standard. On histopathologic evaluation viable germ cell tumor, teratoma, and necrosis/fibrosis was present in 26 (20,5%), 67 (52,7%) and 34 (26,8%) of specimen, respectively. In the 5-6 BEP series subgroup high rate of viable disease (37,5%) was found and significantly more nephrectomies were performed, than other chemotherapy subgroups. Extratesticular GCT, viable disease in residual mass or progression after RPLND indicated lower survival. Mild (Clavien-Dindo I-II) or no postoperative complications were reported in 93,7% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests no significant benefit from exceeding 3-4 courses of BEP. Timely salvage RPLND should be performed in high volume centers for optimal treatment outcomes with acceptable complication rates. Adherence to the Heidenreich criteria is advisable where practical.

Determination of risk factors for progression in patients with viable tumor at post-chemotherapy lymph node dissection due to disseminated non-seminomatous germ-cell tumors

BACKGROUND

To assess the clinical variables that effect progression in patients with viable tumor after post-chemotherapy lymph node dissection due to disseminated non-seminomatous germ-cell tumors.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 32 patients with viable tumor after PC-RPLND, operated between 1990 and 2016. Patients were categorized into 2 groups as favorable and non-favorable (intermedia and poor) according to International Germ Cell Consensus Classification (IGCCC). Tumor size was determined as the largest dimension of retroperitoneal mass. Clinical factors and adjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated to impact on recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The median age of the patients and follow-up duration were 28.5 (17-51) years and 51.5 (4-253) months, respectively. 5-year RFS and OS were 57.8-66.8%, respectively. On univariate analysis, percentage of viable tumor, IGCCC risk group, primary site, second-line chemotherapy and surgical margin status were significant for RFS (p = 0.034, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.011 and p < 0.001, respectively), while IGCCC risk group, second-line chemotherapy and surgical margin status were significant for OS (p = 0.004, p = 0.010 and p < 0.001, respectively). On multivariate analysis, second-line chemotherapy and surgical margin were independent risk factors for RFS (p = 0.016, HR 4.927 95% CI 1.34-18.02 and p < 0.001, OR 9.147 95% CI 2.61-31.98, respectively) and surgical margin status was the only predictor of OS (p = 0.038, HR 3.874 95% CI 1.07-13.69).

CONCLUSION

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection with negative surgical margin is essential for patients with viable residual tumor after chemotherapy. Need for second-line chemotherapy shows risk of progression.

Pathologic Assessment After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for NSCLC: Importance and Implications of Distinguishing Adenocarcinoma From Squamous Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Major pathologic response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for NSCLC has been defined as 10% or less residual viable tumor without distinguishing between histologic types. We sought to investigate whether the optimal cutoff percentage of residual viable tumor for predicting survival differs between lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

METHODS

Tumor slides from 272 patients treated with NAC and surgery for clinical stage II-III NSCLC (ADC, n = 192; SCC, n = 80) were reviewed. The optimal cutoff percentage of viable tumor for predicting lung cancer-specific cumulative incidence of death (LC-CID) was determined using maximally selected rank statistics. LC-CID was analyzed using a competing-risks approach. Overall survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazard analysis.

RESULTS

Patients with SCC had a better response to NAC (median percentage of viable tumor: SCC versus ADC, 40% versus 60%; p = 0.027). Major pathologic response (≤10% viable tumor) was observed in 26% of SCC cases versus 12% of ADC cases (p = 0.004). The optimal cutoff percentage of viable tumor for LC-CID was 10% for SCC and 65% for ADC. On multivariable analysis, viable tumor 10% or less was an independent factor for better LC-CID (p = 0.035) in patients with SCC; in patients with ADC, viable tumor 65% or less was a factor for better LC-CID (p = 0.033) and overall survival (p = 0.050).

CONCLUSIONS

In response to NAC, the optimal cutoff percentage of viable tumor for predicting survival differs between ADC and SCC. Our findings have implications for the pathologic assessment of resected specimens, especially in upcoming clinical trials design.