[Results of close testicular tumor after-care].

Abstract

Close monitoring schedules for patients with malignant germ cell tumors improved cure rates, since early detection and treatment of tumor recurrences was possible. In a retrospective analysis we evaluated 210 of 274 patients with malignant germ cell tumor, 189 (90%) of whom achieved complete remission after primary therapy. There were 15 patients (7.9%) who experienced tumor relapse, 14 patients attaining complete remission after a second treatment. Out of these, 4 patients experienced a second relapse after 5 months. In 2 patients only, a third complete remission was obtained. A total of 3 patients died to their disease. The 19 recurrences were detected by clinical symptoms in 4 cases, by chest X-ray in 10, and by elevation tumor markers in 5. In 6 patients a second malignant germ cell tumor was discovered during follow up by palpation of the testis (n = 4) or marker elevation (n = 2). A second complete remission was achieved in 5 of these patients, while 1 died of chemotherapy-induced sepsis. Of the 19 tumor recurrences, 17 were detected within the first 2 years. The patients with a second malignant germ cell tumor perceived their disease within the first 5 years in 83% of cases. These results support the necessity on close monitoring for a minimum of 5 years after the initial treatment. After 5 years yearly examination is recommended for early detection of any late recurrences and second malignant germ cell tumors.

• Authors: K Erpenbach, W Derschum, M Reis, H von Vietsch
• Journal: Der Urologe. Ausg. A (Urologe A) Vol. 29 Issue 2 Pg. 102-7; discussion 107-9 (Mar 1990) ISSN: 0340-2592 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Ergebnisse einer engmaschigen Hodentumornachsorge.
• PMID: 2158683 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Combined Modality Therapy
• Dysgerminoma (diagnosis, pathology, therapy)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Male
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (diagnosis, pathology, therapy)
• Neoplasm Staging
• Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal (diagnosis, pathology, therapy)
• Neoplasms, Multiple Primary (diagnosis, pathology, therapy)
• Testicular Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology, therapy)