ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the appropriate treatment of malignant germ cell tumor (MGCT) in the female genital system, and to analyze the factors influencing both therapeutic response and survival outcome. METHODS: A cohort of 230-Chinese women diagnosed with MGCT of the genital system was retrospectively reviewed and prospectively followed. The demographic and pathological features, extent of disease and surgery, treatment efficiency, recurrence and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: MGCTs from different genital origins shared a similar therapeutic strategy and response, except that all eight vaginal cases were infantile yolk sac tumors. The patients' cure rate following the initial treatment, 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) were 85.02%, 95.00%, and 86.00%, respectively. Although more extensive excision could enhance the remission rate; it did not improve the patients' survival. Instead, the level of the medical institution, extent of surgery and disease were independent prognostic factors for relapse (p<0.05). Approximately 20% of patients had recurrent or refractory disease, more than half of whom were in remission following secondary cytoreductive surgery with salvage chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Fertility-sparing surgery with or without standardized PEB/PVB (cisplatin, etoposide/vincristine, and bleomycin) chemotherapy is applicable for female MGCTs of different origins. Comprehensive staging is not required; nor is excessive debulking suggested. Appropriate cytoreduction by surgery and antineoplastic medicine at an experienced medical institution can bring about an excellent prognosis for these patients.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Combined Modality Therapy , Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures , Genital Neoplasms, Female/diagnosis , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/diagnosis , Prognosis , Recurrence , Survival AnalysisABSTRACT
Objective To determine relationships between daily activities measured as modified version of Pulmonary Functional status and Dyspnea Questionaire (PFSDQ-M) and functional capacity and symptoms experienced in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Convenience sample of 94 COPD patients with stable condition were assessed by interview with PFSDQ-M Chinese version and modified Medical Research council dyspnea scale (MMRC) respectively. Pulmonary function test (PFT) and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) were undergone on the same day or within one week as interview. PFSDQ-M has three subscales,i.e.,change experienced by patient with activities (CA),dyspnea with activities (DA) and fatigue with activities (FA). Results Scores of CA,DA and FA correlated to 6-minute walking distancer= (-0.37)- (-0.42),FEV_1 r=(-0.27)-(-0.32),FEV_1/FVC r= (-0.27)- (-0.32),dyspnea rated by MMRC (r=0.55-0.60) and BODE index (r=0.35-0.40),respectively (all P<0.01). dyspnea explained 26% of the variance in changes of activities. Conclusions Physical activities moderately changed in patients with stable COPD;Dyspnea is the best predictor of limitation of daily activities.