Clinical outcomes of local and metastatic testicular sex cord-stromal tumors.

PURPOSE: We evaluated pathological variables of testicular sex cord-stromal tumors, management options and clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 48 patients with testicular sex cord-stromal tumors treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center between 1997 and 2012. Clinical outcomes were compared based on treatment and previously described pathological factors associated with metastatic potential.

RESULTS: Of the 48 patients 37 underwent surveillance without retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, including 34 with no high risk feature and 3 with 1. Median followup was 14.5 months (IQR 6.9-32.5). No patient experienced recurrence. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed in 11 patients, including 6 with clinical stage I disease and 2 or more high risk features who underwent early dissection, 2 with clinical stage IIa disease at diagnosis who underwent early dissection and 3 with clinical stage I disease and 2 or more high risk features who were observed elsewhere but referred to our institution due to retroperitoneal disease. Six patients with clinical stage I disease underwent early dissection, 4 had no evidence of disease at a median followup of 6.6 years and 2 experienced recurrence and died of disease. Neither of the 2 patients with IIa disease at diagnosis experienced relapse. All 3 patients with delayed dissection experienced relapse and 1 died of disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with testicular sex cord-stromal tumors and 1 or no high risk feature can be safely observed without retroperitoneal lymph node dissection but longer followup is needed. Given the lack of effective alternative treatments, early retroperitoneal lymph node dissection may be beneficial in those with 2 or more high risk features, or clinical stage IIa disease.