OBJECTIVE: To validate the Heidenreich criteria for patient selection for unilateral retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for residual masses after chemotherapy for nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT).
SUBJECTS/PATIENTS AND METHODS: For validation, the data of 59 patients who underwent RPLND for residual masses of NSGCT were used. Of these patients, 23 (39 %) qualified for a modified RPLND, the others had an indication for a bilateral dissection. Results from histopathology after RPLND and follow-up data for relapse inside or outside the zone of the resection template were considered for validation.
RESULTS: In the study cohort, median age at time of RPLND was 31 years. The 2-year disease-free survival was 90 and 96 % for the bilateral and the unilateral RPLND patients, respectively. Overall, 8 (14 %) relapses were observed after a median follow-up of 54 month. Of these, 6 were outside of the resection field and 2 were in-field. Of the 23 patients with indication for a modified RPLND, 1 patient relapsed in the contralateral testis and 1 inside the modified RPLND template. No relapse was observed outside the modified RPLND field and inside the untouched contralateral RPLND field. The Heidenreich criteria did therefore not misclassify a single patient.
CONCLUSION: The Heidenreich criteria for the selection of candidates for unilateral RPLND for residual masses after chemotherapy allow a highly reliable selection of patients. The application of the Heidenreich criteria can help to reduce comorbidity and invasiveness of RPLND.
Written by:
Vallier C, Savoie PH, Delpero JR, Bladou F, Gravis G, Salem N, Rossi D, Walz J Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Institut Paoli-Calmettes Cancer Centre, 232, Boulevard Ste. Marguerite, B.P. 156, 13273, Marseille, France
Reference: World J Urol. 2014 Jan 20. (Epub ahead of print)
doi: 10.1007/s00345-014-1240-6
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24442607
UroToday.com Testicular Cancer Section
