Disease characteristics and survival outcomes of extragonadal primary germ cell tumour in two Canadian tertiary cancer centres

Authors

  • Jenny J. Ko British Columbia Cancer Agency, Abbotsford Cancer Centre, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
  • Tehmina Asif Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
  • Haocheng Li University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
  • Nimira Alimohamed Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
  • Phuong Thao Nguyen Royal Inland Cancer Centre, Kamloops, BC, Canada
  • Daniel Y.C. Heng Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.3357

Abstract

Introduction: Extragonadal germ cell tumours (EGCTs) are a heterogeneous group with distinct natural history and responses to treatment
modalities. We sought to evaluate characteristics and survival outcomes in men with EGCTs.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on a consecutive list of men diagnosed with EGCT in two Albertan cancer centres between 1990 and 2013. Demographic characteristics and outcomes, stratified by primary site, were evaluated.

Results: Sixty-nine cases were identified. The median age was 29 (range 15–76) and 48 cases (70%) were non-seminomatous. Twenty-four (35%) belonged to International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) favourable risk group, 14 (20%) to intermediate, and 31 (45%) to poor. Thirty (43%) had mediastinal primary (MPs); 29 were treated with first-line bleomycin, etoposide,
and cisplatin (BEP). Seventeen (57%) relapses occurred, of which three patients achieved long-term survival. Seventeen (25%) had a central nervous system (CNS) primary, with eight (47%) classic germinoma. Seven (41%) received primary chemotherapy alone; 5 (29%) received primary radiotherapy alone, and 5 (29%) received both. Nineteen (28%) had a retroperitoneal primary (RPs) and received first-line chemotherapy; all but two received BEP and eight (42%) had surgical resection. Three (5%) had other or unknown primary. Five-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival for all patients were 56% and 44%, respectively; for MPs, 44% and 34%; for CNS primary, 76% and 53%; for RPs, 58% and 53%. Factors that correlated with decreased OS were elevated alpha fetoprotein (AFP) (p<0.001) or human chorionic gonadotropin
(HCG) (p=0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (p=0.028), bone metastasis (p<0.001), lung metastasis (p<0.001).

Conclusions: EGCT is a rare, but important subset of GCT. Patients with EGCTs, despite aggressive treatments, still have poorer outcomes than gonadal primary.

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Author Biographies

Jenny J. Ko, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Abbotsford Cancer Centre, Abbotsford, BC, Canada

Department of Medical Oncology

Tehmina Asif, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

Department of Medical Oncology

Haocheng Li, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

Departments of Oncology and Community Health Sciences

Nimira Alimohamed, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada

Department of Medical Oncology

Phuong Thao Nguyen, Royal Inland Cancer Centre, Kamloops, BC, Canada

Department of Medical Oncology

Daniel Y.C. Heng, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada

Department of Medical Oncology

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Published

2016-05-12

How to Cite

Ko, J. J., Asif, T., Li, H., Alimohamed, N., Nguyen, P. T., & Heng, D. Y. (2016). Disease characteristics and survival outcomes of extragonadal primary germ cell tumour in two Canadian tertiary cancer centres. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 10(5-6), E165–70. https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.3357

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Section

Original Research