Probability of metachronous testicular cancer in patients with biopsy-proven intratubular germ cell neoplasia depends on first-time treatment of germ cell cancer - Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the probability of subsequent testicular cancer (STC) in patients with intratubular germ cell neoplasia unclassified (IGCNU) treated for first-time invasive germ cell cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients with germ cell testicular cancer or extragonadal germ cell cancer received follow-up from diagnosis of IGCNU to development of STC, initiation of IGCNU-definitive treatment (orchiectomy/radiotherapy), emigration, death, or end of follow-up. The probability of STC was assessed in subgroups according to chemotherapy burden.

RESULT: The probability of STC in the nonexposed patients was significantly increased compared with those exposed to chemotherapy (P = .05; 5-year probability of 54% [95% CI, 33% to 78%] and 23% [95% CI, 11% to 45%], respectively). In the group of patients treated with one to three cycles or no chemotherapy, the probability of STC was significantly increased compared with those exposed to four or more cycles (P = .03; 5-year probability of 42% [95% CI, 27% to 62%] and 22% [95% CI, 8% to 54%], respectively). Twenty-two of 22 patients were tumor-free and alive at a median of 56 months (range, 2 to 184 months) after diagnosis of STC.

CONCLUSION: Platinum-based chemotherapy may reduce the probability of STC in patients with IGCNU, particularly in those treated with four or more cycles of chemotherapy. A watch-and-wait strategy for patients with IGCNU may be justified in selected patients with future plans for paternity.

Written by:
Brabrand S, FossÃ¥ SD, Cvancarova M, Axcrona U, Lehne G.   Are you the author?
Oslo Universitetssykehus HF, Radiumhospitalet, Postboks 4953 Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway.

Reference: J Clin Oncol. 2012 Nov 10;30(32):4004-10.
doi: 10.1200/JCO.2011.40.8914


PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23071246

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