Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Primary Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumors: 10-Years' Experience at a Single Institution with a Bleomycin-Containing Regimen.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by surgical resection of the residual tumor remains the standard of care for patients with mediastinal germ cell tumors (MGCTs). To prevent pulmonary complications, a non-bleomycin-containing regimen is generally preferred. This study aims to review the clinical characteristics and outcomes of these patients.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken in patients treated for MGCTs between 2003 and 2013.

RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled; 7 patients were diagnosed with seminoma, while 33 patients had non-seminoma. 92% of patients received chemotherapy as a first treatment modality: 87% bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin; 13% etoposide and cisplatin, with an objective response rate of 61.3%. Among these, 44% achieved a complete serological response. 17 patients underwent surgical resection of the residual tumor. No patient suffered from pulmonary complications after surgery. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 71.4 and 27.3% in seminoma and non-seminoma patients, respectively (p = 0.051). For those who received chemotherapy followed by surgical resection with no viable tumor or only mature teratoma detected, the 5-year OS was 72.7% compared with 20.7% in patients not treated with surgery (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the importance of a multimodality approach with primary chemotherapy followed by surgical resection of the residual tumor. A bleomycin-containing regimen can be safely used in this setting.