Analysis of Treatment in Pediatric Germ Cell Tumor

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This report is an analysis of our experience with surgery, multi-agent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in pediatric germ cell tumors(GCTs). METHODS: This report included all children(age <15 years) who were registered between November 1985 and May 2001 with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of GCTand received surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Retrospective analysis of the medical records of these patients was performed. In addition to the clinicopathological features, the response rate, survival rate, and toxicity were analyzed. RESULTS: Among were a total of 19 patients, 6 had an ovarian tumor and 3 had a testicular tumor. Histologically immature teratoma was the most common type(11/19; 57.9%). Tumor markers were increased in 13/17(76.5%). Complete responses were observed in 17/19(89.5%) of the evaluable patients. Five year actuarial survival was 79.4% and event free survival was 84.2%. Median follow up was 46 months. CONCLUSION: From the present report, it is apparent that chemotherapy is very effective and well tolerated in children with GCTs. The data probably suggests that conservative surgery, when combined with effective chemotherapy, can result in cure of the majority of children with GCTs.