Patients with non-seminoma germ cell tumours treated in a minor oncology department: the importance of multi-institutional protocols and research collaboration

Abstract

The purpose was to review all patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCT) treated at a single institution in order to evaluate the management and outcome. Patients were prospectively registered. Completed SWENOTECA forms and medical records of all 132 NSGCT patients treated between January 1985 and December 2000 were reviewed. Data on demographic, clinical, histological and biochemical characteristics as well as patient treatment and outcome were registered. The minimum follow-up was 2.2 years (median 8.3 years). In stage I, there was an overall relapse rate of 21%. These relapses were all treated successfully. Among stage II–IV patients, post treatment RPLND/surgical resections were performed in 31 patients (50%), and residual malignant disease was found in 23%. Relapse (N = 3) in metastatic disease patients, were seen in stage IV only. In stage II–IV, 5 died from germ cell malignancy of whom 3 never achieved CR. Five-year overall and disease-specific survivals were 95% and 96%. For stage I, II, III, and IV, the 5-year disease-specific survivals were 100%, 98%, 100%, and 69% respectively. Grouped according to the International Germ Cell Consensus Classification, the 5-year overall survivals were 100%, 92%, and 60% for the good, intermediate, and poor prognosis groups of stage II–IV patients, respectively. This report is a complete review of NSGCT patients treated in our minor university clinic. Survival rates are comparable to recently published data, due to a commitment to multicentre protocol and research collaboration.