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D T Sleijfer

Publications and source records attributed to D T Sleijfer.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer: comparison of treatment modalities.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study evaluates changes in sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer and investigates whether there is a relationship with different treatment modalities. METHODS: A self-reported questionnaire was sent to 337 men who had been treated for testicular cancer at the University Hospital Groningen between 1977 and 1994. Medical information was obtained from the patient records. RESULTS: A response was received from 287 men (85%); 264 patients were included in this study (78%). The mean patient age at follow-up was 37.7 years (range, 17-71 years). The mean follow-up period was 6.7 years (range, 0.25-18 years). Decrease in sexual functions was reported by 40% of patients (decrease in libido: 19%; arousal: 12% erection: 12.5%; orgasm: 19%; and ejaculation: 26%). Moreover, 23.5% of patients responding reported decreased sexual activity and 12.5% were dissatisfied with their sexual functioning. Patients with Stage II-IV nonseminoma who had been treated with polychemotherapy (PCT) with or without resection of residual retroperitoneal tumor mass (RRRTM) (PCT +/- RRRTM) reported a significantly sharper decrease in sexual functioning than patients who had been followed with a wait-and-see policy (W & S) (Stage I nonseminoma patients). It was noteworthy that patients treated by PCT alone reported more sharply decreased sexual functioning than patients treated by PCT + RRRTM. Patients treated by radiotherapy (Stage I-IIA seminoma) did not report findings significantly different from the W & S group. CONCLUSIONS: Testicular cancer patients are at risk for reduced sexual functioning, especially when treated by chemotherapy, with or without resection of residual tumor. Although chemotherapy may influence somatic aspects of sexual functioning, it appears that psychologic factors arising from the confrontation with testicular cancer play a strongly mediating (if not determining) role.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Cytogenetics of primary testicular nonseminoma, residual mature teratoma, and growing teratoma lesion in individual patients.

Residual mature teratoma (RMT) is often left behind when metastases of primary nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSs) are treated with chemotherapy. RMT is composed of fully differentiated somatic tissue. A growing teratoma (GTE) lesion may occur after (incomplete) resection of RMT. To shed light on tumor progression or the mechanism(s) of therapy related differentiation we investigated the chromosomal pattern of the primary NSs and RMTs in twelve patients, of the primary NS, RMT, and GTE lesion in one patient, and of the RMT and GTE lesion in two patients. Although several chromosomal differences are observed between the RMT and NSs and between the GTE and RMTs in the same patient, we obtained no evidence that specific chromosomal alteration(s) play a role in metastasis or differentiation.

Disease Progression↗
PubMed1997

Residual pulmonary masses after chemotherapy for metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. Prediction of histology. ReHiT Study Group.

BACKGROUND: After chemotherapy for a metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor, pulmonary masses may be seen on a computed tomography scan. These residual masses may contain one of three histologic elements: necrosis, mature teratoma, or cancer. Because surgical resection of masses containing only necrosis is unnecessary, the authors aimed to predict the histology of these residual masses. METHODS: Six study groups contributed patient data on a total of 215 patients undergoing thoracotomy after cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy for metastatic testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the probability of necrosis, mature teratoma, and cancer in relation to predictors known before thoracotomy. RESULTS: The pulmonary mass histology was necrosis in 116 patients (54%), mature teratoma in 70 (33%), and cancer in 29 (13%). Necrosis was found at thoracotomy in 89% of those patients with necrosis at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). Other predictors included the primary tumor histology, prechemotherapy tumor marker levels, change in mass size during chemotherapy, and the presence of a single, unilateral mass. Multivariate combination of predictors yielded reliable models (goodness-of-fit tests, P > 0.20), which discriminated necrosis well from other histologies, especially if RPLND histology was available (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis indicated subgroups of patients with a high probability of necrosis and a low risk of cancer for whom close follow-up of the residual pulmonary mass might be considered. In most patients, a RPLND should be performed before a thoracotomy is considered, because the probability of necrosis is generally higher at thoracotomy than at RPLND and the histology at RPLND is a strong predictor of the histology at thoracotomy.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Importance of a new tumor marker TRA-1-60 in the follow-up of patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors.

BACKGROUND: TRA-1-60 is a new tumor marker for embryonal carcinoma-positive nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSTGCT). Upper normal reference value (RV) and serum half-life (t1/2) were determined. The value was determined in the follow-up of 154 patients with stage I NSTGCT. METHODS: TRA-1-60 was measured in normal controls (n = 100) to determine RV and in patients without recurrence for t1/2. In all patients, TRA-1-60 was determined at the time of orchidectomy. In 42 patients with recurrence, values were also evaluated 1 month before and at the time of computed tomography-confirmed recurrence. Predictive values and survival probability were examined and compared with values for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). RESULTS: RV was 230 U/ml and t1/2 9.5 days. Elevated TRA-1-60 at the time of orchidectomy was not associated with recurrence. One month before recurrence, 21 of 42 patients had elevated TRA-1-60 levels (50%); 10 were negative for both AFP and hCG. At the time of recurrence, 24 patients had elevated TRA-1-60 levels (57.1%): 9 were negative for AFP/hCG. Patients with TRA-1-60 levels of > 500 U/ml had a poorer recurrence-free survival probability (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: TRA-1-60 is useful in the follow-up of stage 1 NSTGCT. The combination of AFP, hCG, and TRA-1-60 may improve the early detection of recurrence.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1997

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy changes the incidence of bilateral testicular cancer.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of cisplatin-based chemotherapy has remarkably increased the survival of testicular cancer patients. With this success, the concern for a contralateral testicular tumor has increased. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the risk for contralateral testicular tumor development was influenced by cisplatin-based chemotherapy. METHODS: The incidence of a contralateral testicular tumor among 365 consecutive patients with a nonseminoma testicular tumor, diagnosed in the period 1980 and 1995, was established and related to previous therapy. RESULTS: Eleven of 365 men (3%) developed a contralateral testicular tumor. After a total of 2403 person-years at risk, 4 of 225 chemotherapy-treated patients (1.8%) developed a contralateral testicular tumor, and 7 of 140 patients (5%) treated with orchidectomy alone developed a contralateral tumor. In comparison to this surveillance subgroup, patients previously treated with chemotherapy have a relative risk of 0.30 to develop a second testicular tumor. CONCLUSIONS: In Dutch men with a nonseminoma testicular tumor, the incidence of a contralateral testicular tumor is 3%, which is 60-fold the expected incidence rate of testicular cancer. A three times lower incidence rate of a contralateral testicular tumor was found in the chemotherapy subgroup compared with those on surveillance. This supports the hypothesis that cisplatin-based chemotherapy may eradicate carcinoma in situ or early testicular cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of the chromosomal pattern of primary testicular nonseminomas and residual mature teratomas after chemotherapy.

About 70 to 75% of patients with nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSs) present with metastases. When these metastases are treated with chemotherapy, often residual mature teratoma (RMT) is left. RMT is composed of fully differentiated somatic tissue. Untreated metastases of NSs rarely consist exclusively of mature somatic tissue. Apparently, after chemotherapy treatment there is a shift towards higher degrees of differentiation. Investigating tumor progression and the mechanism(s) involved in therapy-related differentiation, we compared the cytogenetically abnormal karyotypes of a series of 70 NSs with those of 31 RMTs. In NSs and RMTs, the modal total chromosome number does not differ and is in the triploid range. Both the frequency and the average copy number of i(12p) are the same, and the pattern of chromosomal over- and underrepresentation and distribution of breakpoints do not differ significantly in these series. So, we found the chromosomal pattern of RMTs as abnormal as those of primary NSs. Based on cytogenetics, we found no indication that specific chromosomal alterations parallel metastasis and therapy-related differentiation of the metastases. The cytogenetic data suggest that both induction of differentiation of (selected) cells or selection of cells with capacity to differentiate are possible mechanisms for the therapy-related differentiation of RMTs.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Current concepts about testicular cancer.

In the past 20 years, testicular cancer, which occurs in the young, has become a curable malignancy; 90% of the patients treated will achieve long-term survival. However, there is a significant morbidity associated with the management of the disease process. The literature was reviewed concerning the current treatment strategies and prognosis, as well as the long-term sequelae of the various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Surveillance has become a key element in the management of patients with a primary (stage I) testicular non-seminoma. Although approximately 25% of these patients will relapse, 100% survival can be achieved with cisplatin in combination with etoposide and bleomycin (BEP). Patients with a disseminated non-seminoma are usually treated with 4 courses of BEP; an 80% survival rate can be achieved. The long-term effects of chemotherapy include Raynaud's phenomenon, acral paraesthesia, hyperlipidaemia, nephrotoxicity, infertility and hormonal disturbances. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection or resection of residual disease following chemotherapy are associated with a low mortality and morbidity rate, ejaculatory dysfunction excepted. However, with specific modifications in technique (e.g. nerve-sparing) antegrade ejaculation can be preserved in the majority of patients. Radiotherapy is used in stage I and II seminoma. With the conventional dose of 25-30 Gy to the retroperitoneal and ipsilateral iliac lymph nodes, temporary dysfunction of the germ and Leydig cells of the remaining testis may occur by scatter radiation. Patients with advanced seminoma are treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. To date, testicular cancer patients can receive appropriate curative treatment with acceptable acute toxicity, depending on the therapy given. The detrimental effects of late toxicities require careful study and follow-up. However, little attention is paid currently to quality of life aspects, in particular the impact of the disease and its treatment on general well-being, including sexual function.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1997

Cardiotoxicity from intensive chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy in breast cancer.

Cardiac function was evaluated in 86 breast cancer patients after standard chemotherapy, followed by ablative chemotherapy and chest irradiation. One patient died of subacute heart failure 3 months after ablative chemotherapy. At a minimum of 1 year's follow-up (range 1-11 years) left vertricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was marginally abnormal in 4 of 27 disease-free survivors. One exceptional patient who received two transplantations is alive, with serious heart failure occurring after the second ablative chemotherapy. Including this patient, the percentage of patients free of clinical and subclinical cardiac dysfunction at 7 years is 78% (95% CI 61-95%). After ablative chemotherapy, cardiotoxicity was rarely life-threatening. The impact of subclinical cardiotoxicity in the long term is not clear and needs continued evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sexual functioning in testosterone-supplemented patients treated for bilateral testicular cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of intramuscular injections with testosterone (Sustanon) on sex-hormone levels, sexual functioning and general well-being in patients treated with orchidectomy for bilateral testicular cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised seven men (median age 38 years, range 25-46) who had undergone orchidectomy for bilateral testicular cancer. Patients received intramuscular injections with testosterone every 3 weeks and blood samples for hormone analysis were collected from each patient at three times: one day after testosterone injection (t1), halfway between subsequent injections (t2) and just before injection (t3). Plasma hormone levels were then related to sexual function, as assessed by self-reported data on sexuality and general well-being, measurements of nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) and erectile function elicited by visual erotic stimulation (VES), determined at t1, t2 and t3. RESULTS: During the 3-week interval between injections, there was a sixfold decrease in plasma testosterone level (mean testosterone 35.8, SD 7.8, and 6.0, SD 2.5 nmol/L, at t1 and t3, respectively). At t1, five of the men had a plasma testosterone level above the upper normal limit (> 35 nmol/L) and at t2 and t3, testosterone levels were below the reference range (< 10 nmol/L) in three and six men, respectively. Oestradiol (E2) levels showed the same pattern: at t1 the mean (SD) E2 level was 0.17 (0.07) nmol/L and at t3 0.07 (0.01) nmol/L. In contrast to follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH) mirrored the decline in plasma testosterone after injection, with the lowest levels at t1 and the highest at t3. Other hormone levels remained unchanged. Three patients reported loss of libido, decreased arousal, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and mood depression. However, neither the arousal nor the erectile problems could be verified by VES. There was no relationship between plasma testosterone levels, the reported sexual dysfunctions and the results of NPTR and VES measurements. Although unrelated to a specific testosterone level, three patients reported increased irritability, excessive sweating, hot flushes and heat intolerance at the end of the injection interval. These adverse effects of declining plasma testosterone were related to loss of libido and other sexual problems. CONCLUSION: In most patients castrated for bilateral testicular cancer and receiving intramuscular injections with testosterone, plasma testosterone levels were outside the normal range. After injection, there was a rapid decline of plasma testosterone to levels below the lower normal limit. With the exception of oestradiol, sex-hormone levels were not correlated to testosterone levels. Sexual functioning was not affected by the fluctuations of plasma testosterone level. However, at the end of the injection interval, adverse psychological and physical effects had a significant impact on libido and arousal.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Complications of the post-chemotherapy resection of retroperitoneal residual tumour mass in patients with non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the resection of the retroperitoneal residual tumour mass (RRTM) for histological examination after chemotherapy in patients with disseminated non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours (NSTGCTs), with particular attention to surgical morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1979 to 1995, 112 patients (mean age 28 years, range 16-53) with NSTGCT had residual disease after chemotherapy for which surgical evaluation was indicated; the histology of the residual tumour and the surgical complications were assessed. Possible associations between the occurrence of surgical complications and the age of the patient, size of the residual tumour, operative duration, previous laparotomy and pathological findings were evaluated. RESULTS: The median size of the residual tumour was 4 cm (range 0-18); histological examination revealed viable tumour in 9%, mature teratoma in 44% and necrosis/fibrosis in 44% of the patients. In three patients (2.8%) no residual tumour mass was found at laparotomy. There were 26 complications in 20 patients (18%); urinary tract infection was the most common, occurring in nine patients (8%). One patient died during the induction of anaesthesia. There were no significant relationships between the occurrence of complications and age, size of the residual tumour, operative duration, previous laparotomy or pathological findings. CONCLUSION: The resection of RRTM after polychemotherapy treatment for disseminated NSTGCT is a safe surgical procedure, with low treatment morbidity consisting mainly of urinary tract infection. Knowledge of the potential complications may help to prevent morbidity. However, the surgical evaluation of the ultimate effect of polychemotherapy remains the gold standard.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Treatment of advanced seminoma: an update.

In this update, the recent developments in the treatment of patients with advanced seminoma are reviewed. Also, the approach for patients with residual disease after chemotherapy is described. It is concluded that the combination of etoposide and cisplatin seems to be the standard treatment for patients with advanced seminoma, showing a durable response in about 90% of the patients. Although the combination of etoposide and carboplatin is less effective, newer carboplatin-based combinations seem to have a comparable efficacy. Residual disease after chemotherapy can be safely observed if the diameter is less than 3 cm; however, residuals larger than 3 cm frequently show a vital tumor and surgical evaluation should therefore be considered.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Sexual functioning after multimodality treatment for disseminated nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumor.

PURPOSE: We determined sexual functioning after chemotherapy for disseminated nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumor, and evaluated the impact of resection of post-chemotherapy residual retroperitoneal tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 155 consecutive patients treated with chemotherapy for disseminated nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumor (between 1980 and 1994) was questioned about their sexual functioning. The patients were divided in 2 subgroups: patients treated with or without resection of post-chemotherapy residual retroperitoneal tumor. Volume and location (divided into left para-aortal or right paracaval/interaortacaval) of the resected tumor were related to absence of ejaculation as well as decreased semen amount. In addition, libido, arousal, erection and orgasm were related to ejaculatory dysfunction. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients (27.7%) was treated with chemotherapy only and 112 (72.3%) had additional resection of post-chemotherapy residual retroperitoneal tumor mass. Overall, 22.4% reported loss of libido, 14.1% decreased arousal, 16% erectile dysfunction, 23.1% decreased orgasmic intensity, 17.4% decreased semen amount and 18.7% complete absence of antegrade ejaculation. With exception of absence of ejaculation, sexual dysfunctions were reported in similar frequencies in both treatment subgroups. In the resection of post-chemotherapy residual retroperitoneal tumor subgroup, 25.9% of the patients had complete absence of ejaculation. The other sexual dysfunctions were related neither to decreased semen amount nor to complete absence of ejaculation. The mean volume of resected tumor was higher (95 cm.3) in patients with absence of ejaculation than in those without (40 cm.3), and patients with right paracaval/interaortacaval tumor (20 of 58, 34.5%) reported more often absence of ejaculation than those with left para-aortal tumor (9 of 54, 16.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated for disseminated nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumor, post-chemotherapy sexual morbidity cannot be neglected. Except for loss of antegrade ejaculation, sexual dysfunctions are not related to resection of post-chemotherapy residual retroperitoneal mass. A high volume of tumor and a right paracaval/interaortacaval location predispose to loss of antegrade ejaculation.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Importance of bleomycin in combination chemotherapy for good-prognosis testicular nonseminoma: a randomized study of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Genitourinary Tract Cancer Cooperative Group.

PURPOSE: This prospective randomized trial was designed to compare the efficacy of etoposide plus cisplatin (EP) versus bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy in patients with good-prognosis metastatic nonseminomatous testicular cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four hundred nineteen patients with good-prognosis nonseminomatous testicular cancer were randomized to receive four cycles of cisplatin 20 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5 plus etoposide 120 mg/m2 on days 1, 3, and 5 with or without bleomycin 30 mg weekly. RESULTS: Of 395 eligible patients, 169 of 195 patients allocated to EP (87%) and 189 of 200 patients allocated to BEP (95%) achieved a complete response with chemotherapy alone or after postchemotherapy surgery. These results are significantly different (P = .0075). After a median follow-up duration of 7.3 years, eight patients (4%) on each treatment arm relapsed. In view of the low number of unfavorable treatment outcomes (11%), no significant differences were detected in time to progression (P = .136) and survival (P = .262). Both the acute and late pulmonary toxicity and neurotoxicity were significantly greater in patients who received BEP, whereas Raynaud's phenomenon occurred exclusively in patients who received BEP (P < .001). Two patients treated with BEP died of bleomycin pulmonary toxicity. CONCLUSION: BEP is the most effective combination regimen in the treatment of disseminated nonseminomatous germ cell cancer. In this particular BEP regimen with etoposide at a dose of 360 mg/m2 per cycle, even in good-prognosis patients, bleomycin cannot be deleted without compromising treatment efficacy, but its use is associated with more toxicity (particularly pulmonary) and efforts to reduce this merit further exploration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Randomized trial of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin compared with bleomycin, etoposide, and carboplatin in good-prognosis metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell cancer: a Multiinstitutional Medical Research Council/European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Trial.

PURPOSE: This prospective randomized multicenter trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of carboplatin plus etoposide and bleomycin (CEB) versus cisplatin plus etoposide and bleomycin (BEP) in first-line chemotherapy of patients with good-risk nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 1989 and May 1993, a total of 598 patients with good-risk nonseminomatous germ cell tumors were randomized to receive four cycles of either BEP or CEB. In each cycle, the etoposide dose was 120 mg/m2 on days 1, 2, and 3, and the bleomycin dose was 30 U on day 2. BEP patients received cisplatin at 20 mg/m2/d on days 1 to 5 or 50 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2. For CEB patients, the carboplatin dose was calculated from the glomerular filtration rate to achieve a serum concentration x time of 5 mg/mL x minutes. Chemotherapy was recycled at 21-day intervals to a total of four cycles. RESULTS: Of patients assessable for response, 253 of 268 (94.4%) of those allocated to receive BEP achieved a complete response, compared with 227 of 260 (87.3%) allocated to receive CEB (P = .009). There were 30 treatment failures in the 300 patients allocated to BEP and 79 in the 298 allocated to CEB (log-rank chi 2 = 26.9; P < .001), which led to failure-free rates at 1 year of 91% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88% to 94%) and 77% (95% CI, 72% to 82%), respectively. There were 10 deaths in patients allocated to BEP and 27 in patients allocated to CEB (log-rank chi 2 = 8.77; P = .003), which led to 3-year survival rates of 97% (95% CI, 95% to 99%) and 90% (95% CI, 86% to 94%), respectively. CONCLUSION: With these drug doses and schedules, combination chemotherapy based on carboplatin was inferior to that based on cisplatin. This BEP regimen that contains moderate doses of etoposide and bleomycin is effective in the treatment of patients with good-prognosis metastatic nonseminoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sexual dysfunction in nonseminoma testicular cancer patients is related to chemotherapy-induced angiopathy.

PURPOSE: To establish the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions after different treatment modalities for nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumor (NSTGCT) and to investigate whether treatment-induced angiopathy and neuropathy is related to sexual dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire assessing sexual dysfunction was sent to 255 NSTGCT survivors. Polychemotherapy (PCT) regimens (cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin [PVB], vinblastine substituted by etoposide [BEP], or cisplatin substituted by carboplatin [CEB], etoposide combined with cisplatin [EP], or with ifosfamide and cisplatin [VIP] were compared regarding treatment-induced angiopathy and neuropathy. Sexual dysfunctions were related to Raynaud's phenomenon and acral paresthesia. RESULTS: Among the 215 responders, 56 (26%) had been treated by orchidectomy and surveillance, 42 (19.6%) by PCT, and 117 (54.4%) by PCT and resection of residual retroperitoneal tumor mass (RRRTM). Overall, loss of libido was reported by 19.1%, decreased arousal by 11.2%, erectile dysfunction by 12.1%, decreased intensity of orgasm by 20%, and ejaculatory problems by 28%. Patients treated with PVB suffered more often from Raynaud's phenomenon compared with those treated with other regimens (40.4% v 29%; P < .05) and from paresthesia (31.6% v 14.7%; P < .05). Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon had more often erectile dysfunction (28.8%) compared with those without (8.4%) (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Compared with orchidectomy alone, PCT, with or without RRRTM, induced more often posttreatment sexual dysfunction. Compared with other chemotherapeutic regimens, signs of angiopathy and neuropathy were most prevalent in those treated with PVB. Erectile dysfunction was related to the chemotherapy-induced Raynaud's phenomenon but not to acral paresthesia.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Thoracotomy for postchemotherapy resection of pulmonary residual tumor mass in patients with nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors: aggressive surgical resection is justified.

In patients with disseminated nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSTGCT), a retroperitoneal residual tumor mass (RRTM) and/or a pulmonary residual tumor mass (PRTM) are often present after successful treatment with cisplatin-based polychemotherapy. Results and complications of postchemotherapy resection of PRTM were studied and survival was calculated. In the period 1979 to 1996, 31 patients with a median age of 28 years (range, 17 to 44 years) underwent 32 thoracotomies for the resection of a PRTM. A solitary lesion was encountered nine times (28.1%) and multiple lesions were encountered 23 times (71.9%). The median size was 15 mm (range, 2 to 60 mm). There were only three major postoperative complications (9.6%): prolonged ventilation, pneumothorax, and pneumonia. In 16 patients (51.6%), the resected PRTM showed mature teratoma, while in four patients (12.9%) it showed viable cancer. In 11 patients only necrosis and/or fibrosis were found (35.5%). Resection of an RRTM had been performed prior to thoracotomy in 20 patients. There was dissimilarity between the histologic features of the resected RRTM and PRTM in 10 of the 20 patients (50%). During a median follow-up of 80 months (range, 2.5 to 203 months), five patients died from metastatic disease (16.1%). The 5-year survival rate was 86.8% and the 10-year survival rate was 82.2%. Owing to the dissimilarity between the histologic features of the postchemotherapy resected RRTM and PRTM in 50% of the patients, all sites of pulmonary residual disease must be resected in patients with disseminated NSTGCT, irrespective of the histologic features of previously resected retroperitoneal residual disease. This approach offers minimal morbidity and a high 10-year survival rate.

Adolescent↗