JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Extragonadal germ cell tumors: clinical presentation and management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCTs) represent a unique entity, and as such require specialized management. This review article will discuss the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment modalities for EGCTs.

RECENT FINDINGS: The anterior mediastinal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are the most common EGCT. These tumors originate in the anterior mediastinum without any testis primary. Mediastinal nonseminomatous GCTs carry a poor prognosis with 40-50% overall survival and should be treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by surgical resection of the residual tumor. At Indiana University, we recommend etoposide (VP-16), ifosfamide and cisplatin (VIPx4) instead of bleomycin, etoposide and platinum (BEPx4) to prevent pulmonary complications, as these patients require extensive thoracic surgical resection. Patients who relapse have a dismal outcome with only 10% long-term survival. Our preferred treatment option is surgery for localized relapse; if surgery is not feasible, then high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant in an experienced center is a reasonable approach. Retroperitoneal GCT should be treated in a similar fashion to primary testis cancer.

SUMMARY: The utilization of cisplatin-based chemotherapy is associated with the best chance of cure for EGCTs. This should be followed by surgical resection of residual tumor in nonseminomatous GCT.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app