Testicular germ cells tumors in adolescents and young adults: Management and outcomes from a single-center experience


Submitted: March 10, 2021
Accepted: May 7, 2021
Published: September 30, 2021
Abstract Views: 881
PDF: 307
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Authors

  • Claudio Spinelli Division of Pediatric, Adolescents and Young Adults Surgery, Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Italy.
  • Gianmartin Cito Department of Urology and Andrology Surgery, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Italy.
  • Girolamo Morelli Department of Urology and Andrology Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy.
  • Marco Ghionzoli Division of Pediatric, Adolescents and Young Adults Surgery, Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Italy.
  • Alessia Bertocchini Division of Pediatric, Adolescents and Young Adults Surgery, Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Italy.
  • Beatrice Sanna Division of Pediatric, Adolescents and Young Adults Surgery, Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Italy.
  • Luca Galli Medical Oncology II, University of Pisa, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy.
  • Andrea Antonuzzo Medical Oncology I, National Health Service Department of Translational Medicine Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Italy.
  • Riccardo Morganti Section of Statistics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
  • Silvia Strambi Division of Pediatric, Adolescents and Young Adults Surgery, Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Italy.

Objective: To investigate and compare the effectiveness of active surveillance versus post-surgical active treatment, in patients with testicular germ cells tumor (TGCT).
Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 52 patients who underwent surgery for TGCT from January 2009 to December 2014. All the patients were divided into two age groups: the Group A included children-adolescents from 18 months to 21 years old, while the Group B comprised young adults from 22 to 39 years old. Clinical, histopathological, therapeutic and follow-up data were collected.
Results: Overall, 22 patients (42,3%) were enrolled in the Group A and 30 patients (57.7%) were categorized in the Group B. Inguinal orchiectomy was performed in all patients. Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy was performed in 4 patients (7.7%). Post-surgical management differed based on clinical stage, resulting in active surveillance or adjuvant therapy. After an average 7 years follow-up period (range: 3.5-9.0 years), the overall survival rate is 100%. The relapse risk is significantly higher for the patients in the Group B, displaying a recurrence free-survival rate of 72% versus 95% (Group A); 11 relapses (21.1%) were recorded 2 years after surgery. Of these, 3 recurrences (12.0%) occurred in patients undergoing an active surveillance approach, while 8 (29.6%) in patients subjected to an active treatment.
Conclusions: The excellent prognosis in both age groups confirms the high curability of this neoplasia. The active surveillance could represent an optimal option for low recurrence risk tumors. However, post-surgical treatments should be taken into consideration for TGCT with high risk factors, including tumor size, lymphovascular and rete testis invasion.


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