Diagnosis and treatment of testicular mixed germ cell tumor: a report of 11 cases / 现代泌尿外科杂志

【Objective】 To explore the diagnosis and treatment of mixed germ cell tumor (MGCT). 【Methods】 Clinical data of 11 confirmed MGCT cases treated in our hospital during Mar.2017 and Aug.2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical characteristics, treatment methods and therapeutic effects were analyzed. The relevant literature and guidelines were discussed. 【Results】 MGCT cases accounted for 18.3% (11/60) of testicular cancer(TC) cases and 21.2% (11/52) of germ cell tumor (GCT) cases treated in our department during the same period. All 11 MGCT cases had unilateral lesions, which were on the left side in 7 cases, and on the right side in 4 cases, with a ratio of left to right side of 1.75∶1. The age of onset ranged from 21 to 52 years, average (29.8±8.7) years. All cases received unilateral radical orchiectomy(RO), 7 received retroperitoneal lymph node dissection(RPLND) (1 robotic RPLND), 6 received postoperative chemotherapy, and 1 received postoperative radiotherapy. During the follow-up of 2 to 66 [average (31.9±20.9)months] , no recurrence or metastasis were observed. 【Conclusion】 MGCT is a relatively rare malignant tumor in clinical practice, with worse prognosis than seminoma germ cell tumor (SGCT). Standardized diagnosis and treatment based on the special characteristics of each pathological type can improve the survival.

Postchemotherapy retroperitoneal residual mass resection for germ cell testicular tumors: a single-center experience

SUMMARY Objective: Postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) plays an important role in the management of advanced germ cell testicular tumors. Bilateral template lymph node dissection is considered a standard treatment in postchemotherapy residual masses; however, modified unilateral templates have gained acceptance in patients with unilateral residual disease. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the perioperative and oncological outcomes of the patients with advanced testicular cancer who underwent unilateral modified template PC-RPLND in our center. Methods: This is a retrospective study in which patients who underwent PC-RPLND in a referred center between 2004 and 2021 were investigated. All patients had three or four cycles of chemotherapy and retroperitoneal residual masses. Data were retrospectively collected from medical, operative, radiology, and pathology records and analyzed. Results: A total of 57 patients underwent PC-RPLND. The mean age was 32.7±8.1 years (19-50). According to the disease stage at presentation, there were 39 patients with stage 2 and 18 patients with stage 3. The average tumor size after chemotherapy was 57.6±2.7 mm (25-117). The overall complication rate was 35% (20/57 patients). No grade 4 and 5 complications were observed. Pathologic review demonstrated the presence of teratoma in 28 (49.1%) patients, fibrosis and/or necrosis in 15 (26.3%) patients, and viable germ cell tumor in 14 (24.5%) patients. The mean follow-up was 69.4 months (8-201). During follow-up after surgery, 14 (24.5%) deaths occurred due to advanced disease. Conclusion: PC-RPLND is a major component of the management of advanced testicular germ cell cancer. Our study demonstrated that modified unilateral template is an effective and safe procedure in the postchemotherapy setting for selected patients.

Application of fluorescent targeted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in the treatment of lymph node recurrence after radical prostatectomy / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To explore the efficacy of fluorescent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in the comprehensive treatment of lymph node recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP).Methods:From January 2017 to December 2020, 25 patients with lymph node recurrence diagnosed by 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT after RP in our hospital were enrolled in this study. The patients were 67 (59-77) years old. The median PSA was 7.7 (0.5-12.6) ng/ml at lymph node recurrence, and was treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), suggesting hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Before recurrence, 4 cases were in T 2 stage, 17 cases in T 3, 4 cases in T 4, 10 cases in N 0, and 15 cases in N 1stage, 25 cases in M 0stage. 2 cases diagnosed as ISUP grade group <3, 9 cases in group 4, and 14 cases in group 5. The median time from radical resection to recurrence was 43 (27-56) months. All 25 cases were diagnosed as lymph node recurrence by 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT examination. Fluorescence retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed. Pelvic lymph nodes were detected in the dark field under the fluorescence mode, and positive lymph nodes were found. The white light mode was switched, and the lymph nodes were cleaned, and recorded. For metastatic lymph nodes indicated by preoperative PSMA PET/CT, routine dissection was performed regardless of whether the lymph nodes were fluorescently positive or not. The only routine examination was performed if there were no lymph nodes with fluorescently positive staining in other sites. Perioperative data, biochemical recurrence (BCR) rate, radiological recurrence (RAR) rate, and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Results:25 patients were pathologically diagnosed with lymph node metastasis. The median lymph node dissection time was 21(15-28) min, estimated blood loss was 30(20-50) ml, hospital days was 4(3-5)d without any severe complications (<Clavien 2). Lymph node dissection and postoperative pathology: 25 cases were pathologically confirmed as lymph node metastasis. 43 lymph nodes of 25 cases were dissected, among which, 37 lymph nodes showed fluorescent positive, 32 lymph nodes were confirmed as metastatic pathologically. The median number of dissected lymph nodes was 2 (1-3). All 25 cases were followed up, with a median follow-up time of 27 (15-57) months. 24 cases achieved complete PSA response (PSA<0.2 ng/ml) in this study, of which 1 case developed BCR 6 months after surgery, and 1 case developed RAR 12 months after complete PSA response (ilium, PSA was 0.33 ng/ml). 1 case did not reach the PSA response and progressed to castration-resistant prostate cancer within 3 months after the operation.Conclusions:For patients diagnosed with lymph node recurrence by 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT examination, fluorescence imaging retroperitoneal lymph node dissection has a relatively small surgical range, few intraoperative complications and a low postoperative recurrence rate.

Long-term follow up experience of comprehensive treatment of testicular mixed germ cell tumors / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Objective: Testicular mixed germ cell tumor is mixed with embryonal carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, yolk sac tumor, teratoma, seminoma and other two or more components of the testicular tumor, the clinical is relatively rare and high degree of malignancy, this article will summarize its clinical features and optimize its treatment.Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 22 patients with testicular tumor mixed germ cell in Peking University Third Hospital from May 1994 to November 2016 was conducted using a combination of statistical analysis and discussion of the relevant literature.Results: The mean age of the 22 patients was (30.8±10.4) years and the rate of cryptorchidism was 13.6%.The maximum diameter of the tumor was (5.1±2.7) cm.The pathological results suggested that 12 cases (54.5%) contained two different germ cell tumor components, 7 cases (31.8%) contained 3 different tumor components, 2 cases (9.2%) contained 4 different tumor components, and 1 case (4.5%) contained 5 different tumor components.Tumor constituent analysis included yolk sac tumors(16 cases, 72.7%), mature teratoma (7 cases, 31.8%), immature teratoma (5 cases, 22.7%), embryonal carcinoma (17 cases, 77.3%) , choriocarcinoma (4 cases, 18.1%) and seminoma (6 cases, 27.3%).American Joint Committee of Cancer tumor staging indicated 19 cases of stage Ⅰ a tumor, 2 cases of stage Ⅱa tumor and 1 case of stage Ⅲa tumor.The mean values of human chorionic gonadotropin, alpha-fetoprotein and lactate dehydrogenase were 414.50 MIU/mL, 242.95 μg/L, 196.95 U/L (preoperative) and 17.20 MIU /mL, 90.20 μg/L, 183.70 U/L (postoperative within a year), and the comparison of the P values between the preoperative and the postoperative within a year were 0.079, 0.043 and 0.624.Fourteen patients underwent retroperitoneal lymph nodes dissection.Most patients lived with long-term survival (94.4%) after operation.Conclusion: Comprehensive treatment of radical orchiectomy with retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy combined with necessary radiotherapy or chemotherapy might help to control the tumor and achieve long-term survival for most patients with testicular mixed germ cell tumor.

Clinical outcome of postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and predicting retroperitoneal histology in advanced nonseminomatous germ cell tumours of the testis / 中华外科杂志

Objective@#To explore the clinical outcome of advanced testicular nonseminomatous germ cell cancer patients undergoing post chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND), and to analyze the relevant prognostic factors of lymph node pathological.@*Methods@#A total of 43 consecutive testicular nonseminomatous germ cell cancer patients underwent PC-RPLND between March 2001 and December 2014 in Department of Urology at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively reviewed. The average age of the patients was (29.0±11.5) years (ranging from 12 to 58 years). Before PC-RPLND, 22 patients were classified as phase Ⅱ, while 21 were phase Ⅲ. Primary tumor histology revealed seminomatous elements in 19 cases, embryonal cell carcinoma in 22 cases, yolk sac tumor in 13 cases, chorionic carcinoma in 3 cases, mature teratomatous elements in 11 and immature teratomatous elements in 2 cases. Patients were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy after orchectomy and then underwent surgical resection of retroperitoneal lymph nodes.After PC-RPLND, all patients underwent a periodic review including the blood routine, biochemistry routine and computed tomography or ultrasonograph of the chest, the abdomen and the pelvis. The association of pathological data with patient′s clinic features and the correlations between molecular features detected with each other were assessed by the t test, χ2 and Fisher′s exact test. Multivariate logistic regression were used to assess prognostic factors.@*Results@#The median operative time was 278 minutes (ranging from 50 to 715 minutes). Median blood loss was 425 ml (ranging from 50 to 5 000 ml). Eight patients received blood transfusion intra-operatively, 2 patients underwent adjunctive surgical procedures, 4 patients developed ileus and 4 had an ascites chylosus following PC-RPLND, 1 patient had a postoperative hyperthermia and retrograde ejaculation was present in 10 patients. The transverse diameter of the residual tumor in patients ranged from 0.8 to 18.2 cm. Necrosis, teratoma and viable germ cell tumors were found in 15, 17 and 11 of all patients. The median follow-up time was 46 months (ranging from 6 to 169 months). There were 39 patients had no tumor recurrence, 7 patients were found recurrence after PC-RPLND, 5 died of malignant germ cell tumor. The normal serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level before chemotherapy (HR=25.811, 95%CI: 0.678 to 982.624, P=0.017) and relative changes more than 50% in retroperitoneal lymph node size (HR=0.016, 95%CI: 0 to 0.698, P=0.032) were statistically significant prognostic factors of the presence of necrosis.@*Conclusions@#Since most residual masses are not sensitive to chemotherapy, PC-RPLND is still an essential part of the treatment of metastatic testicular nonseminomatous germ cell cancer. Patients with the normal serum LDH level before chemotherapy and a shrinkage of 50% or more in retroperitoneal mass have a considerably chance of having necrosis in the retroperitoneum resection. This may help to refine the selection of candidates for PC-RPLND.

Long-term recovery of normal sexual function in testicular cancer survivors / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common solid cancer in men between the third and fourth decade of life. Due to successful treatment approaches, TC survivors (TCSs) have long life expectancy, but with numerous potential long-term sequelae, including sexual dysfunction. We investigated predictors of long-term normal sexual function (SF) recovery in TCSs. Sociodemographic, medical, and psychometric data were analyzed in 143 Caucasian-European TCSs, who underwent orchiectomy at a single institution. Health-significant comorbidities were scored with the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Statistical models tested the association between predictors (including age at surgery, body mass index, CCI, and adjuvant therapy: radiotherapy [RT], chemotherapy [CT], CT followed by retroperitoneal lymph node dissection [RPLND] and RPLND alone) and the long-term recovery of normal SF (defined as IIEF-erectile function [EF] ≥26, and sexual desire [SD], intercourse satisfaction [IS] orgasmic function [OF], and overall satisfaction [OS] domain scores in the upper tertiles). At a mean follow-up of 86 months, 35 (25.5%) TCSs had erectile dysfunction (ED), with 16 (11.2%) experiencing severe ED. Median time of EF recovery was 60, 60, and 70 months after CT, RT, and RPLND, respectively. Only adjuvant RT emerged as an independent predictor of nonrecovery of normal EF (HR: 0.55, P= 0.01). Neither adjuvant CT nor CT plus RPLND or RPLND alone significantly impaired the recovery of normal erections. Adjuvant therapy was not associated with impaired recovery of normal sexuality as a whole, considering the IIEF-SD, -OF, -IS, and OS domains.

Linfadenectomía retroperitoneal lumboaórtica laparoscópica por vía extraperitoneal en cáncer testicular no seminoma / Extraperitoneal laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in non-seminomatous testicular cancer

Objective: The aim is to describe the technique of extraperitoneal laparoscopic access for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in a series of patients with testis cancer stage A. Material and Methods: The extraperitoneal approach was performed in 5 patients with stage A testicular cancer. The technique includes the creation of a totally extraperitoneal space, full exposition of the retroperitoneum and classic retroperito-neal lymph node dissection. We analyzed demographic data, histology, access and surgical complications, estimated blood loss and follow up. Results: The average age was 29.4 years old (22-41). The mean operative time was 144 minutes, with an estimated blood loss of 42.4 ml. There were no surgical complications. The average hospital stay was 33.6 hr, and mean number of lymph nodes was 27.4 (24 -32). In long-term follow up there was no recurrence. Discussion: The extraperitoneal approach is an alternative access for retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testis cancer patients. It allows avoiding potential intestinal lesions and there is no contraindication in patients with prior abdominal surgery.

Objetivo: Mostrar la experiencia en la técnica de disección lumboaórtica por vía totalmente extra-peritoneal, en un grupo de pacientes con cáncer testicular en estadio A. Material y Métodos: La serie está formada por 5 pacientes, portadores de un tumor testicular no seminoma, en estadio A. En ellos se planteó como alternativa la linfadenectomía retroperitoneal lumboaórtica laparoscópica. La técnica quirúrgica consistió en la formación de un espacio extraperitoneal, con rechazo de peritoneo, exposición del retroperitoneo y disección linfática clásica. Se analizaron los datos demográficos, histología, complicaciones del acceso y la técnica quirúrgica, tiempo operatorio, sangrado estimado y seguimiento a largo plazo. Resultados: El tiempo operatorio medio fue de 144 min, con un sangrado medio estimado en 42,5 ml (20-150 ml). No hubo complicaciones intra ni postoperatorias. El tiempo medio de hospitalización fue de 33,6 h. El número medio de nodos linfáticos resecados fue de 27,4 (24 a 32). Con un promedio de seguimiento de 134 meses, no ha habido recurrencia retroperitoneal ni diseminación a distancia. Discusión: La vía extraperitoneal es una alternativa de acceso para la disección linfática retroperitoneal en pacientes con cáncer testicular. Permite evitar potenciales lesiones intestinales y es factible de realizar en pacientes con cirugía abdominal previa.

Linfadenectomía lumboaórtica asistida por robot en tumor residual postquimioterapia en cáncer testicular / Robotic-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in post chemotherapy residual mass in testis cancer

Introduction: The laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (L-RPLND) has shown results at least comparable to open surgery in terms of perioperative complications and oncological results, but its application in the post chemotherapy scenario is still matter of study. The development of robotic surgery and its advantages over laparoscopic surgery, make this an attractive option for complex procedures. We report our initial experience with robotic-assisted retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND). Methods: We describe the cases of two patients who underwent R-RPLND due to a Post Chemotherapy residual mass of a non-seminomatous testicular cancer. Results: Two patients, 27 and 30 years old, presented with retroperitoneal residual mass after 4 and 6 cycles of Bleomicin, Etoposide and Cis-Platinum. The first patient had a 4.3 cm left para-aortic mass and the other had a 6 cm mass behind the third portion of the duodenum. The mean surgical time was 255 minutes (210-300), with an estimated mean blood loss of 450 cc (100-800) and a mean hospital stay of 60 hours (72-48). The pathologic result was Teratoma in both cases. There was no periopera-tive morbidity. Conclusions: We believe that R-RPLND is a feasible and safe alternative in selected patients. However still needs more experience and longer follow up to asess its oncological outcome.

Introducción: La linfadenectomía retroperitoneal lumboaórtica laparoscópica (LRLA-L) ha demostrado resultados al menos comparables a la cirugía abierta en términos de complicaciones peri operatorias y resultados oncológicos. Sin embargo, su aplicación en el escenario postquimioterapia es todavía materia de estudio. El desarrollo de la cirugía robótica y sus ventajas sobre la cirugía laparoscópica hacen de este tipo de cirugía una opción atractiva para procedimientos más complejos como esta intervención postquimioterapia. Reportamos nuestra experiencia inicial en Linfadenectomía lumboaórtica laparoscópica robóticamente asistida postquimioterapia. Métodos: Describimos el caso de dos pacientes sometidos a una a una linfadenectomía retroperitoneal lumboaórtica asistida por robot (LRLA-R), portadores de una masa retroperitoneal postquimioterapia secundaria a un carcinoma testicular de células germinales no seminoma. Resultados: Dos pacientes, de 27 y 30 años de edad, con una masa retroperitoneal residual después de 4 y 6 ciclos de Bleomicina, Etoposido y Cis-Platinum respectivamente. El primer paciente presentó una masa para-aórtica izquierda de 4,3 cm y el segundo paciente una masa en relación a la tercera porción del duodeno de 6 cm. El tiempo operatorio promedio fue de 255 minutos (210-300) con un sangrado promedio estimado de 450 ml (100-800). El tiempo promedio de hospitalización fue de 60 hrs (48-72). En ambos casos el resultado histológico evidenció la presencia de Teratoma. No se presentaron complicaciones perioperatorias. Conclusiones: Creemos que la LRLA-R en pacientes con masa residual post-quimioterapia es una técnica reproducible y segura en pacientes seleccionados, sin embargo, todavía es necesario un mayor número de pacientes y tiempos de seguimiento para poder evaluar los resultados oncológicos.

Long-term clinical outcome in patients with stage-i nonseminomatous germ cell cancer: a critical review of own treatment modalities in a retrospective study

PURPOSE: The optimal management of patients with clinical stage I non-seminomatous germ cell testicular cancer (NSGCT I) was considered controversial until the European Germ Cell Cancer Consensus Group determined unambiguous treatment strategies. In order to assess the long-term outcome we evaluated the data of patients with NSGCT I. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective evaluation, we included 52 patients with a mean age of 26 years (range 15-58) who were treated with different modalities at our department between 1989 and 2003. Mean follow-up was 5.9 years (range 2-14 years). After orchiectomy, 39 patients were treated with chemotherapy, 7 patients underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and 6 men were managed using a surveillance strategy. Survival, recurrence rate and time of recurrence were evaluated. The histological staging and treatment modality was related to the relapse. RESULTS: Tumor specific overall mortality was 3.8 percent. The mortality and relapse rate of the surveillance strategy, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and chemotherapy was 16.7 percent / 50 percent, 14.3 percent / 14.3 percent and 0 percent / 2.5 percent respectively. All relapsed patients in the surveillance group as well as in the RPLND group had at least one risk factor for developing metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Following the European consensus on diagnosis and treatment of germ cell cancer in patients with NSGCT Stage I any treatment decision must be individually related to the patient according to prognostic factors and care capacity of the treating centre. In case of doubt, adjuvant chemotherapy should be the treatment of choice, as it provides the lowest risk of relapse or tumor related death.

Extroperitoneal laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection(report of 7 cases) / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To investigate the techniques of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection(LRPLND)through extraperitoneal approach. Methods Seven non-seminomatous germ cell testicular tumor(NSGCT)patients of clinical stage Ⅰ underwent LRPLND through extraperitoneal approach.The average age was 31(27-39 years old),the average weight was 62 kg(weight 58-72 kg).Pathological examination revealed 2 testis mixed carcinoma(major of embryonal carclnoma and seminoma),2 yolk sac tumor,1 ehoriocarcinoma,2 teratoma with seminoma.Two of them were in right side,and 5 in left.All the chest X-ray,abdominal CT and bone scanning of them were normal before operation.All patients were general anesthetized.Three or 4 trocars were placed,from 2 of them two gasbags were used to expand the retroperitoneal space at volume of 800-900 ml.The retroperitoneal fat was cleared off from the surface of Gerota's fascia to iliac fossa and the plane spance betwwwn anterior rena fascia and posterior peritoneum was separated In the same way the Plane between dorsal renal and the surface of psoas major and quadratus lumborum unto iliae lossa was exposed.Abdominal aorta or vena cava was exposed,then divided and dissected free from surfaee of psoas maior.The conflux of renal vein and testicular vein at the deep face of renal artere(left)was exposed,then testicular vein was ligated and divided it at its end.Fat and lymph tissue between ureter and vessels was dissected to the crotch of abdominal aorta or inferior vena cava.The primary inguinal incision of testectomy was then excided.Normal antegrade ejaculation recovered in 1 month postoperatively. Results The initial 2 operations were converted to open way as the peritoneum were penetrated largely.The other 5 operations were successful.The average operating time was 285 min(245-350 min),intraoperative blood loss was 100-250 ml.Four patients'pathologic results accorded with clinical staging,and 2 positive lymph nodes were found in the other one.The average number of lymph node resected was 25.6 counts(22-31).Follow-up for 3-20 months,chest X-ray and abdominal CT revealed no evidence of recurrence or distant metastasis,and serum tumor markers were in normal range.Normal antegrade ejaculation recovered in 1 month postoperatively. Conclusions The technique through extraperitoneal approach could be applied for LRPLND.It might be an approach for diagnosis and treatment of stage Ⅰ NSGCT.

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer (report of 39 cases) / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective To investigate the role of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) in the treatment of testicular cancer. Methods The clinical data of 39 cases (age range,20-58 years;median age,29 years) of germ cell tumor who underwent RPLND were retrospectively analyzed.Of the 39 cases,17 had the tumors on the left side and 22,on the right.One case was of seminoma,and the other 38 were of non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT).According to the clinical examinations and radiology, 20 cases were of stage Ⅰ,15 of stage Ⅱ,and the rest 4 could not be staged. Results Of the 39 cases,10 with stage I tumors underwent nerve-sparing modified RPLND and the other 29 underwent bilateral RPLND.No metastasis was found in the dissected tissues in 22 cases,while metastasis,in 17 (including 4 of clinical stage I).All the patients with pathological metastases or elevation of blood tumor markers received postoperative chemotherapy.Follow-up was carried out for 1-149 months.The disease-free survival rate was 97.4%(38/39).Of the 10 cases receiving modified RPLND,8 regained their ejaculation function. Conclusions The probability of presence of the non-seminomatous components must be considered in the diagnosis and follow-up of seminoma cases,and the RPLND should be done if necessary.Nerve-sparing modified RPLND should be performed for clinical stage Ⅰ patients;while postoperative chemotherapy should be chosen for pathological stage Ⅱ patients.