Cytogenetic analyses of 85 testicular germ cell tumors: comparison of postchemotherapy and untreated tumors

Cytogenetic analyses of 85 testicular germ cell tumors, of which 54 were karyotypically abnormal, showed recurrent breakpoints at chromosome bands 1p36, 1p13-1qh, 11q23, 19q13, and the pericentromeric regions of the acrocentric chromosomes. Postchemotherapy tumors had significantly more rearrangements of bands 3p25-p26, 6q16-q21, 8p22-p23 when compared with untreated tumors, while untreated tumors had more rearrangements of 9p22-p24 when compared with postchemotherapy tumors. Frequent breakpoints also were identified at 15q15 and 9qh in untreated tumors. Tumors of different histopathology, clinical stage, and treatment status showed no significant differences in the frequencies of i(12p)-positive and i(12p)-negative tumors.

Is retroperitoneal lymph node dissection necessary for adult paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma?

PURPOSE

We assess the benefit of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for adult paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 19 adults with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection between 1980 and 1997 comprise our study population. Postoperative chemotherapy was administered in all patients, including cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine with or without consolidation with ifosfamide and etoposide in 17, and vincristine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide in 2. Radiation therapy also was administered in 2 patients. Patients were classified into pathological and clinical groups according to the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Studies. Mean followup was 6.4 years (range 0.5 to 17.6).

RESULTS

A total of 17 patients (89%) were disease-free and 2 (1 in pathological group I and 1 in pathological group II) died of disease that recurred outside of the retroperitoneum. Of 16 clinical group I patients 9 were in pathological group II. There were negative nodes in 2 of 3 clinical group II patients. Thus, abdominal computerized tomography correctly staged only 8 of 19 patients (42%).

CONCLUSIONS

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection accurately stages paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma and eliminates the need for abdominal radiotherapy in patients in pathological group II. Combined modality therapy with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and postoperative chemotherapy achieves a high cure rate.

Is retroperitoneal lymph node dissection necessary for adult paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma?

PURPOSE

We assess the benefit of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for adult paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 19 adults with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection between 1980 and 1997 comprise our study population. Postoperative chemotherapy was administered in all patients, including cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine with or without consolidation with ifosfamide and etoposide in 17, and vincristine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide in 2. Radiation therapy also was administered in 2 patients. Patients were classified into pathological and clinical groups according to the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Studies. Mean followup was 6.4 years (range 0.5 to 17.6).

RESULTS

A total of 17 patients (89%) were disease-free and 2 (1 in pathological group I and 1 in pathological group II) died of disease that recurred outside of the retroperitoneum. Of 16 clinical group I patients 9 were in pathological group II. There were negative nodes in 2 of 3 clinical group II patients. Thus, abdominal computerized tomography correctly staged only 8 of 19 patients (42%).

CONCLUSIONS

Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection accurately stages paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma and eliminates the need for abdominal radiotherapy in patients in pathological group II. Combined modality therapy with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and postoperative chemotherapy achieves a high cure rate.

Alternative strategies in the management of primary breast cancer

This article will review the current alternative strategies in the management of primary breast cancer with an emphasis on the reasons we prefer a particular strategy. We will attempt to forecast new alternatives that we expect to emerge from advances in the molecular biology of breast cancer, as well as other technological advances.

Nephroblastoma-like tumors in patients with testicular germ cell tumors

Nephroblastoma-like tumors (NLTs) developed in metastatic sites in nine men with testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs). These tumors had a characteristic "triphasic" admixture of primitive tubular structures, sometimes with a glomeruloid pattern, blastema and stroma. Skeletal muscle differentiation was apparent in two cases. Specific neuroendocrine markers (synaptophysin and chromogranin A) were negative. All patients were treated by surgical excision. Six patients were alive with no evidence of disease from 4 to 12 years after diagnosis of GCT and NLT. One patient was alive with disease 6 years after diagnosis of GCT and 3 years after diagnosis of NLT. One man who also had metastatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) had short survival, and one patient died of postoperative infection. We conclude that patients with testicular GCTs in whom NLTs develop in metastatic sites often experience prolonged survival. Surgical excision appears to be adequate treatment for NLT arising in metastatic testicular GCT in most patients. It is important to distinguish NLTs from PNETs in metastatic GCTs because of the more aggressive course and the frequently fatal outcome of the latter.

Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in staging and treatment. The development of nerve-sparing techniques

Currently, where available and widely practiced, nerve-sparing RPLND offers the least toxic and safest alternative in management of clinical stage I nerve-sparing germ cell tumor. Twenty-six percent to 30% of such cases are found to be node positive and, if no adjuvant chemotherapy is elected, two thirds do not relapse; those who do are uniformly rescued by chemotherapy. The 70% who are node negative have no long-term toxicity and do better in quality of life studies than their surveillance counterparts. Also, risk-benefit and cost-benefit studies support the competitive position, of RPLND vis-à-vis the other options. Nonetheless, it is fair to say there are several options for management of clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors that, when well applied, work well. Their choice depends on regional factors related to availability and experience.

Can retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy be omitted in some patients after chemotherapy?

The advances in the therapy of high-volume stage II and stage III testicular cancer have been largely due to the development and success of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Though patients with low- to moderate-volume stage II disease historically were curable with radical retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, patients with higher volumes of metastatic disease were not curable with surgery alone. The advent of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the 1970s has allowed many of these patients with higher-volume metastatic disease to be cured. Though chemotherapy clearly plays the major role in the therapy of these patients, surgery after chemotherapy has been complimentary in the overall chance for cure of these patients.

Bilateral testicular tumors: management and outcome in 21 patients

BACKGROUND

The authors examined the clinical course of patients with bilateral testicular tumors to determine whether the outcome after treatment was different from patients with unilateral tumors.

METHODS

Using a computerized data base of 2088 patients with testicular carcinoma at Indiana University, 21 patients (1%) were identified with bilateral testicular carcinoma. A retrospective review of hospital and clinic charts was performed. Sixteen patients with metachronous and 5 patients with synchronous testicular tumors were identified.

RESULTS

Treatment was based on clinical stage and was similar to therapy given for unilateral disease. The mean age at presentation of the first testicular tumor was 28.4 years (range, 16-47 years). Approximately 50% of the second primary tumors presented > 5 years after the contralateral tumor. At a mean follow-up of 49.9 months (range, 1-276 months), 18 patients were without evidence of disease, 2 were alive with disease, and 1 patient had died of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of patients with bilateral germ cell tumors is based on the pathology and clinical stage and should not be different from the traditional management of unilateral testicular carcinoma. Patients with unilateral testicular carcinoma should be informed of the necessity of long term follow-up because contralateral testicular carcinoma may occur as long as 25 years later.

Combined post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and resection of chest tumor under the same anesthetic is appropriate based on morbidity and tumor pathology

PURPOSE

We determine if post-chemotherapy resection of residual retroperitoneal and chest tumor under the same anesthetic is reasonable based on tumor pathology and morbidity, and if the finding of necrosis in the abdomen allows observation of chest tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 143 post-chemotherapy patients who underwent resection of residual retroperitoneal and chest disease under the same anesthetic.

RESULTS

Retroperitoneal pathology was generally predictive of chest pathology. Concordance existed in 77.5% of patients with necrosis, 70% with teratoma and 69% with cancer of the abdomen. However, the correlation was much stronger (86%) in predicting necrosis/fibrosis if cases were categorized as uncomplicated by Indiana University criteria. Although the morbidity of the combined approach is higher than that of standard post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, it was acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

The morbidity of post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and resection of chest disease under the same anesthetic is acceptable. Retroperitoneal pathology generally predicts chest pathology but this correlation is much stronger if the case is uncomplicated based on our criteria. In an uncomplicated case the discovery of necrosis of the abdomen allows observation of chest tumor.

Integration of surgery and systemic therapy: results and principles of integration

Eight hundred seventy patients with metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell cancer underwent postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) for resection of residual disease. Several risk factors for relapse and survival were identified as highly significant (P = .00001), namely, presence of residual cancer in the specimen before salvage chemotherapy programs, tumor marker elevation, need for "re-do" PC-RPLND, or unresectability. Although more than half of the entire group (52.5%) had one or more of these risk factors, 67.5% are long-term survivors following PC-RPLND. The remaining 47.5% were referred after primary chemotherapy, without risk factors. Only 9.8% relapsed and 95.5% survived.

Clinical stage I nonseminoma: surgery versus surveillance

The presentation of nonseminomatous germ cell tumor confined clinically to the testicle (clinical stage I) is associated with a 30% incidence of occult retroperitoneal metastases. For decades, the standard of care in these patients has been a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), both for staging purposes, and, in the pre-modern chemotherapy era, it was performed with curative intent. The improvements in combination chemotherapy during the past 20 years have resulted in the cure of most individuals with small volume recurrent disease, calling into question the continued need for RPLND. The strategy of surveillance and chemotherapy for the 30% who relapse has gained acceptance, and, with meticulous follow-up, can result in the same excellent cure rates seen in patients treated with the surgical option. Although primary chemotherapy has also been suggested as a treatment option, the majority of patients will receive that chemotherapy unnecessarily, and cure rates with this strategy will not surpass those for surveillance or RPLND. Prognostic factors have been developed that can successfully identify a group of patients who are at an extremely low risk of relapse, thus potentially sparing these individuals any additional therapy. However, attempts to define a very high risk population have been unsuccessful to date, and we await the development of newer biologic markers able to predict which patients are most likely to have occult retroperitoneal disease and therefore most likely to benefit from additional "adjuvant" therapy post-orchiectomy.

En bloc nephrectomy in patients undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for nonseminomatous testis cancer: indications, implications and outcomes

PURPOSE

We review the indications for nephrectomy at post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, identify patients at risk for nephrectomy and assess the impact of nephrectomy on outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a computerized data base and chart review we retrospectively reviewed the records of 848 patients who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy.

RESULTS

En bloc nephrectomy was performed at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy in 162 of the 848 patients (19%). The indications for nephrectomy included contiguous involvement of perirenal structures in 73% of the cases, renal vein thrombosis in 6%, a poorly functioning or nonfunctioning renal unit in 5% and a combination of these conditions in 16%. Pathological studies of the hilum revealed cancer in 20% of the cases, teratoma in 49% and fibrosis in 31%. Patients requiring nephrectomy had significantly more advanced disease and larger disease volume at presentation and after chemotherapy. There were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity or mortality compared with patients who did not undergo nephrectomy. Only 3 patients required perioperative dialysis and none required long-term renal support.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support en bloc nephrectomy at post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in select patients with large volume perihilar retroperitoneal disease.

Identification of clinical stage A nonseminomatous testis cancer patients at extremely low risk for metastatic disease: a combined approach using quantitive immunohistochemical, histopathologic, and radiologic assessment

PURPOSE

To evaluate previously determined predictors of metastasis in low-stage testis cancer in a consecutive group of clinical stage A patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-one consecutive clinical stage A nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) patients who underwent primary nerve-sparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (NSRPLND) had orchiectomy specimens and computed tomographic (CT) scans evaluated blindly in a quantitative fashion. These scores were then correlated with pathologic stage using previously determined paradigms.

RESULTS

Using volume of embryonal carcinoma in the orchiectomy specimen, lymph node diameters in the primary landing zones and MIB-1 staining of the orchiectomy specimen, 41 patients were classified as low risk for metastasis. Forty of these 41 had pathologic stage A disease at RPLND.

CONCLUSION

These parameters can identify a low-risk group of patients for metastasis who can be rationally offered surveillance.

The financial status of Medicare

Medicare is the largest health care program in the country, providing medical care to 38 million aged and disabled Americans. Concerns over rapid cost increases and the imminent insolvency of the Medicare Hospital Insurance trust fund led to enactment of sweeping Medicare legislation as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Preliminary estimates indicate that this legislation will result in program savings of $150 billion in the first five years and will postpone the depletion of the Hospital Insurance fund from the year 2001 until about 2010. While the Balanced Budget Act significantly reduces Hospital Insurance expenditure in the long range, serious deficits are still expected when the "baby boom" generation reaches retirement. The Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance trust fund is automatically in financial balance, but policy makers remain concerned about continuing rapid cost increases. A new National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare will attempt to determine effective solutions to these long-range problems.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization on nuclei from paraffin-embedded tissue in low stage pure embryonal carcinoma of the testis

Approximately 30% of patients who present with clinical stage A nonseminomatous testis cancer are in fact pathologic stage B. In previous studies an increasing volume of embryonal carcinoma in the orchiectomy specimen was associated with a higher likelihood of being pathologic stage B. However, not all patients with pure embryonal carcinoma in the primary tumor were pathologic stage B. In an effort to discriminate patients with pure embryonal carcinoma in the testicular specimen relative to pathologic stage, archival specimens from patients presenting with clinical stage A pure embryonal carcinoma were examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with newly developed probes for chromosome arms 12p and 12q. Whole nuclei from archival material from 14 patients (six pathologic stage A, seven pathologic stage B and one stage C) with 100% embryonal carcinoma in the orchiectomy specimen were studied using bicolor FISH with chromosome arm 12p- and 12q-specific painting probes developed by chromosome microdissection. In all cases a blinded analysis showed distinct regions of 12p and 12q probe hybridization simultaneously and allowed identification of probable normal chromosomes 12, as well as regions of amplification of 12p sequences, including possible i(12p). In 5/14 specimens, a distinct and peculiar pattern of 12p hybridization was observed which resembled 12p "disarray" or "multifocal 12p". Of the five specimens demonstrating multifocal 12p, four were pathologic stage B, while one was pathologic stage A. Whether the trend toward multifocal 12p predicts metastatic potential in primary testicular embryonal carcinoma will need to be assessed using a larger series of patients.

Postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is effective therapy in selected patients with elevated tumor markers after primary chemotherapy alone

OBJECTIVES

Elevated tumor markers after primary chemotherapy for metastatic testis cancer are usually an indication of persistent cancer. Subsequent treatment has usually been salvage chemotherapy. This article examines the possibility that selected patients can achieve long-term disease-free survival with surgery alone.

METHODS

Using a computerized data base of 627 postinduction chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissections (PC-RPLND), 23 patients with elevated tumor markers who have undergone PC-RPLND after induction chemotherapy alone were identified. Of the 23 patients, 15 were considered candidates for salvage chemotherapy, but instead underwent salvage surgery. Case histories were reviewed to establish selection criteria for PC-RPLND.

RESULTS

Eight patients originally presented as clinical Stage C, 6 as clinical Stage B-3, and 1 as clinical Stage B-2. All patients initially received cisplatin combination chemotherapy. Twelve patients had an elevated alpha-fetoprotein level and 3 patients had an elevated beta human chorionic gonadotropin level prior to PC-RPLND. Seven patients had rising markers at the time of PC-RPLND. Seven patients had teratoma only in their resected specimen and all have no evidence of disease (NED) at a median of 35 months. Two patients had necrosis only in their RPLND specimen and both are NED at 10 and 42 months. Six patients had cancer in their resected specimen and 2 are NED, 1 is alive with disease, and 3 are dead of disease. Five of the 6 patients with cancer in their resected specimen were the only patients who received postoperative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Some patients with modest elevations of tumor markers after induction chemotherapy may only have teratoma or necrosis in the postchemotherapy resected specimen. These patients (n = 9) remain continuously NED. Patients who undergo salvage surgery and have cancer in the resected specimen do less well, but selected patients can be cured with this modality and thus avoid the morbidity of salvage chemotherapy.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors arising in testicular germ cell neoplasms

Twenty-nine young men (mean age 29 years) had primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) arising in germ cell tumors (GCTs). Nine patients had PNETs confined to the testis, eight patients had PNETs in the testis and at metastatic sites, and 12 patients had PNETs identified only at extratesticular sites. Immunohistochemistry was of use in the further classification of these PNETs as neuroblastoma, medulloepithelioma, peripheral neuroepithelioma, or ependymoblastoma. The histologic pattern of PNETs in the testis (neuroblastoma or medulloepithelioma) did not predict which tumors metastasized. PNETs localized to the testis did not affect prognosis. Eight patients with no PNETs outside the testis were free of disease 1 month to 10 years after diagnosis. PNETs in extratesticular sites were an adverse prognostic factor. Nineteen patients with extratesticular PNETs had adequate clinical follow-up. Thirteen are dead of disease from 4 months to 5 1/2 years (mean 26 months) after diagnosis, four are alive with disease 6 months to 2 years after diagnosis, and two have no evidence of disease with short follow-up (6 and 17 months). Mean survival was longer (34 months) for patients whose extratesticular PNET was neuroblastoma than for those with other types of PNETs (13 months). Chemotherapy directed against GCTs was not effective in patients who developed metastatic PNETs of GCT origin. We conclude that extratesticular PNETs in patients with testicular GCTs are usually fatal, but patients with neuroblastomatous metastases may have a more prolonged course.

Vertical muscle transposition augmented with lateral fixation

INTRODUCTION

Full vertical rectus muscle transpositions have been shown to be an effective treatment for lateral rectus palsies and type I Duane syndrome. This operation is usually accompanied by mechanical or botulinum toxin treatment of one or both medial rectus muscles. This series evaluates the effect of augmenting the transposed muscles with lateral fixation sutures.

METHODS

Transposition of the vertical rectus muscles to the lateral rectus muscle was performed in 23 eyes of 21 patients; transposition to the medial rectus muscle was performed in one eye of one of these 21 patients. A lateral fixation suture of 5-0 Dacron polyester filament was placed in the sclera 16 mm posterior to the limbus and adjacent to the lateral rectus muscle, incorporating one fourth of the transposed vertical rectus muscle. Of the 21 patients, five had type I Duane syndrome with a face turn and esotropia in the primary position, seven had a unilateral lateral rectus palsy, two had bilateral lateral rectus palsy, four had an ipsilateral lateral rectus palsy combined with a contralateral lateral rectus paresis (a recess resect procedure was performed on the paretic eye along with the augmented transposition on the paralyzed eye), two had gaze palsies, and one had a unilateral lateral rectus palsy with recurrent esotropia after a transposition procedure performed 16 years previously. Lateral fixation sutures alone were used in the last case listed. Postoperative diplopia-free fields were measured when possible (10 cases).

RESULTS

In most cases (19/23 eyes), alignment was achieved in the primary position with the use of the augmented transposition procedure alone. On average,20 degrees of binocular fusion into the abducted field was obtained. No postoperative limitation of adduction in the transposed eye was noted. Among the patients with Duane syndrome, 80% had elimination of the face turn; one patient had 5 degrees of residual face turn. The one patient with previous transposition surgery alone had an 80% (16 PD) reduction of the recurrent esotropia after placement of lateral fixation sutures. After augmented transpositions, induced vertical deviations in the primary position were uncommon (4/20 patients) and not greater than 2 PD. Significant lid fissure changes were not seen.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of lateral fixation sutures to full vertical rectus muscle transpositions improves the tonic abducting force of the procedure for patients with lateral rectus palsy and type I Duane syndrome without compromising adduction.

Urethral catheter removal prior to hospital discharge following radical prostatectomy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the feasibility of early catheter removal following radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

Fifty-eight consecutive patients underwent radical prostatectomy, with intent of early catheter removal. Catheter removal was based on postoperative cystograms performed on postoperative day (POD) 3 or 4. Charts were retrospectively reviewed and patients were contacted by phone and specifically questioned regarding continence and bladder control.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients (87.9%) had a cystogram performed on POD 3 or 4. In 43 patients (74.1%), the catheter was successfully removed prior to hospital discharge. Eight patients experienced either early or late complications (excluding incontinence); these included 3 patients with a superficial wound infection, 2 patients with hematuria requiring reinsertion of a urethral catheter, 1 patient with a spontaneous pneumothorax, 1 patient who developed a deep vein thrombosis and lymphocele, and 1 patient with a bladder neck contracture. Urinary continence was reported as excellent to good in 86% of the patients at a mean follow-up of 17.4 months. Three patients (5%) underwent placement of an artificial urinary sphincter.

CONCLUSIONS

Catheter removal prior to hospital discharge after radical prostatectomy is feasible without any increase in morbidity.

Nerve sparing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for advanced testicular cancer

PURPOSE

Nerve sparing techniques are used routinely during retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in patients with low stage testis cancer in an attempt to preserve postoperative ejaculation. Preservation of ejaculation without an increased retroperitoneal recurrence rate in such patients prompted us to reevaluate the role of nerve sparing techniques in select patients undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Of 472 patients who underwent post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection between March 1988 and January 1995, 93 (19.7%) underwent a nerve sparing procedure. Two patients died of disseminated cancer within 6 months after post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. In 10 patients the ejaculatory status could not be established from the clinical notes and the patient was lost to followup. The remaining 81 patients form the basis of this report. Disease status, complications and ejaculatory status were evaluated. Mean followup was 35.5 months.

RESULTS

Of the patients 76.5% reported normal ejaculation after post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Testis cancer recurred after nerve sparing surgery in 6 patients but no tumor was retroperitoneal. Ten pregnancies have been reported to date with uneventful term deliveries in 7.

CONCLUSIONS

Select patients are candidates for nerve sparing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Although indications for nerve sparing techniques in the post-chemotherapy population have expanded, the local recurrence rate has not increased. Nerve sparing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection can preserve the inherent fertility potential of the patient without increasing retroperitoneal relapse rates.

Post-chemotherapy resection of nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors metastatic to the mediastinum

PURPOSE

We determined if the behavior of germ cell tumors metastatic to the mediastinum is different from that of primary mediastinal germ cell tumors, a group known to have distinct clinical features.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search of the computerized data base for germ cell tumors metastatic to the mediastinum at our university revealed 80 patients, 65 of whom underwent concomitant retroperitoneal lymph node dissection at mediastinal surgery.

RESULTS

Of the patients 60 (75%) are free of disease, 14 (18%) died of cancer and 6 (8%) are living with disease. Mediastinal pathology included teratoma in 65% of the patients, cancer in 26% and fibrosis in 9%. Of the 65 patients who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection 75% had teratoma, 15% had fibrosis and 10% had cancer. Mediastinal relapses after dissection were rare (4 of 80 patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Germ cell tumors metastatic to the mediastinum appear to behave similarly to those metastatic to the retroperitoneum. Primary mediastinal germ cell tumors have an entirely different clinical course. Teratoma is the predominant pathological type of post-chemotherapy germ cell cancer metastatic to the mediastinum.

Noninvasive ultrasonic subtotal ablation of the prostate in dogs

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can be used for subtotal ablation of the prostate gland in dogs without causing damage to surrounding tissues.

DESIGN

Experimental trial.

ANIMALS

Adult hounds > or = 5 years old and weighing between 20 and 30 kg.

PROCEDURE

Prostatic ablation was performed in all dogs, using a transrectal HIFU probe. Acute effects of HIFU treatment were evaluated in 4 dogs. These dogs were euthanatized and necropsied 4 hours after the procedure. Chronic effects were evaluated in the other 3 dogs. Serial CBC, serum biochemical analyses, urinalyses, and transrectal ultrasonography were performed. Dogs were euthanatized and necropsied 3 months (1 dog) or 1 year (2 dogs) after HIFU treatment.

RESULTS

Histologic examination of the prostate glands from the 4 dogs euthanatized 4 hours after treatment revealed that 80 to 90% of the gland had undergone hemorrhagic, liquefactive necrosis. Only slight discoloration of the prostatic capsule was detected, and there were not any gross or histologic lesions of the rectal mucosa or urinary bladder. All 3 dogs followed up after HIFU treatment developed cystic cavities within the prostate. Clinicopathologic testing did not indicate any long-term adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This method was effective in causing subtotal ablation of prostatic tissue in dogs. Further study of morbidity is required before the technique can be used clinically.

Biology of metastases and its clinical implications: testicular germ-cell tumors

This article deals with observations of the clinical behavior of metastatic germ cell cancers of testicular origin. Therefore, when we speak of biology of metastases, we refer to that seen by the clinician as opposed to the laboratory scientist. First, we will review our experience with chemotherapy for metastatic disease. From this we can gain insight into risk factors for relapse and survival. Furthermore, we can infer there are fundamental differences in the biology of germ cell cancers of testicular origin as opposed to primary mediastinal or primary retroperitoneal origin. Some of these differences are further discussed. We also identify "good risk" parameters and suggest criteria for expectant or conservative management postchemotherapy instead of postchemotherapy surgical management. Second, the diversity of metastases as evidenced by a wide histologic spectrum, is discussed in clinical terms. Among topics discussed are non-germ-cell malignant elements found within metastatic germ cell tumors, and possible mechanisms for their emergence. Third, the increasing awareness of long delayed, late relapse and its relative refractoriness to chemotherapy gives further insight into the clinical biology of metastatic germ cell cancer. The multipotential nature of the germ cell results in a wide variety of metastatic subtypes, each with its own clinical behavior. Therefore, a variety of clinical management strategies may be required based upon these different clinical behaviors.

The impact of pre-donated autologous blood and intra-operative isovolaemic haemodilution on the outcome of transfusion in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of pre-donated autologous blood and intra-operative isovolaemic haemodilution on the outcome of transfusions in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The charts and transfusion records of 192 consecutive patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of 192 patients, 14% required homologous transfusions, the rate of which varied significantly depending upon blood availability (autologous, haemodilution or homologous) (P < 0.001): 66% of patients with only autologous blood available were transfused a mean of 1.96 units (range 1-6) of blood, of which 87% received autologous alone. 12% both autologous and homologous and 1% homologous blood only. Of the pre-donated autologous units, 44% were wasted.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the pre-donation of autologous blood and intra-operative isovolaemic haemodilution lower the risk of homologous blood transfusion. It is recommended that patients pre-donate 2 units of autologous blood and undergo intra-operative isovolaemic haemodilution before radical prostatectomy.

Teratoma in the orchiectomy specimen and volume of metastasis are predictors of retroperitoneal teratoma in low stage nonseminomatous testis cancer

PURPOSE

We determined whether teratomatous elements in the orchiectomy specimen predict for teratoma in the retroperitoneum in patients who have not received chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with clinical stages A, B and B2 nonseminoma who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

Teratomatous elements in the orchiectomy specimen predict for retroperitoneal teratoma.

CONCLUSIONS

When deciding on treatment for low stage nonseminoma, the presence or absence of teratoma in the orchiectomy specimen should be considered to minimize double therapy.

Preoperative technetium Tc 99m sestamibi imaging. Paving the way to minimal-access parathyroid surgery

OBJECTIVE

To examine the reliability of technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scanning as a new adjunct to the surgical management of hyperparathyroidism.

DESIGN

Preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma by technetium Tc 99m sestamibi delayed washing-out scanning and high-resolution ultrasound was compared with a historical institutional experience of surgical intervention without preliminary localization studies. A 10-year retrospective review from 1985 to 1995 of patients with surgical hyperparathyroidism was performed.

SETTING

Academic tertiary referral medical center.

PATIENTS

Thirty-three technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scans in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were correlated with eventual surgical and pathologic findings. The last 10 patients were also studied with 10-MHz linear transducer ultrasound, and the results were compared with those of the radionuclide scan and eventual surgical and pathologic findings. From 1985 to 1995, 142 patients underwent surgical exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism, and 125 records were available for review.

RESULTS

The technetium Tc 99m sestamibi parathyroid scan correctly identified the site and presence of 31 adenomas among 34 confirmed tumors, a sensitivity of 91% and positive predictive value of 97%. The scan detected three anterior mediastinal adenomas that could not be removed through cervical exploration. In each instance median sternotomy was included in the primary surgery and allowed efficient, successful management of these ectopic adenomas. High-resolution ultrasound correctly identified nine of 10 cervical parathyroid adenomas and predicted the volume of each tumor to a statistically significant level.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperthyroidism has traditionally been treated surgically without preliminary localization studies. We found both technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scanning and high-resolution ultrasound to be highly sensitive at detecting parathyroid adenomas at the 90% level. Furthermore, preoperative localization allowed efficient surgical intervention for our group of patients who had high frequency of mediastinal adenomas that required transmediastinal surgery.

Spinal cord ischemia after post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for nonseminomatous germ cell cancer

PURPOSE

We report and analyze several cases of neurological deficit after post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection that were though to be related to spinal cord ischemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the testis cancer data base at our university, which includes 1,447 retroperitoneal lymph node dissections performed from 1982 to 1994, to identify patients who had postoperative neurological complications. The history and clinical course of patients suspected to have spinal cord ischemia were reviewed and potential risk factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

The incidence of spinal cord ischemia after post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was 0.56% (4 of 712 patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal cord ischemia may complicate the course of post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in testis cancer patients. Older age, extensive retroperitoneal dissection, prior therapy and certain anesthetic parameters may predispose nonseminomatous germ cell tumor patients to spinal cord ischemia. These risk factors may be used to define a subset of high risk patients, and active measures should be taken in an attempt to minimize the frequency of spinal cord ischemia in these patients.

Delayed orchiectomy after chemotherapy for metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumors

PURPOSE

We reviewed current experience at our university with delayed orchiectomy after chemotherapy in patients with metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 160 patients with metastatic germ cell cancer who were given systemic chemotherapy, and subsequently underwent orchiectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

Analysis of 160 testicular specimens revealed necrosis or scar in 70 (43.7%), pure teratoma in 50 (31.2%) and persistent germ cell cancer in 40 (25%). Corresponding incidences of histopathological findings in the post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection specimens were significantly different, correlating with less than half of the cases (chi-square, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms the need for delayed orchiectomy after systemic chemotherapy even when there seems to be a partial or complete clinical response at other sites.

The management of patients with clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular tumors and persistently elevated serologic markers

PURPOSE

We reviewed our experience with patients who had nonseminomatous germ cell tumors clinically limited to the testis and persistently elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels after orchiectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients had clinical stage I disease with persistently elevated tumor markers that were not decreasing in accordance with the expected metabolic decay rate at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

Of 30 patients identified 3 had elevated AFP, 24 had elevated HCG and 3 had elevation of both markers. Of the 6 patients with elevated AFP with or without concurrent HCG elevation 5 (83%) had relapse and required chemotherapy, as did 6 of 24 (25%) with HCG elevation.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with persistently elevated AFP after orchiectomy should be treated initially with chemotherapy. Although the majority of patients with elevated serum HCG were disease-free after surgery alone, a fourth of these patients still had relapse and required chemotherapy.

What is the appropriate follow-up after treatment?

Close follow-up after surgery for low volume nonseminomatous testicular cancer is important for early detection of recurrence. However, follow-up involves expense and adds to the burden of treatment. To minimize follow-up, we examined medical literature reports of results in early stage testicular cancer. Additionally, we analyzed our own data for the specific patterns of failure in stages I and II after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (RPL) and stage I on surveillance. We conclude that the most rigorous protocols should be reserved for stage I on surveillance and stage II on observation after RPL. Less frequent follow-up is needed for the other treatment options. For all patients, follow-up must be most intense early on, because of the high relapse rate in the first 1 to 2 years. Because there was no correlation noted between the site and timing of relapse in any group, physical examination and marker determination must be performed at every visit. In addition, where the retroperitoneum has been sterilized by RPL, chest x-ray must be performed, but computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis is generally unnecessary. For stage I on surveillance, abdominopelvic CT is needed but the value of chest x-ray is questionable.

Tumor proliferative activity is predictive of pathological stage in clinical stage A nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors

PURPOSE

Traditional histopathological features have failed to predict accurately the pathological stage of clinical stage A nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis. Based on pilot studies in nonconsecutive patients at our university, we evaluated nontraditional risk factors (cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry, deoxyribonucleic acid analysis by single cell cytophotometry [image analysis] and assessment of proliferative activity by immunohistochemistry) combined with histopathological features in consecutive patients with clinical stage A nonseminomatous testis cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Orchiectomy specimens from 105 consecutive patients with clinical stage A nonseminomatous germ cell tumors who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (76 with pathological stage A disease and 29 with proved metastasis) were recut, histopathologically reviewed, immunohistochemically stained with proliferation markers (for example Ki-67/MIB-1), and examined by flow cytometry and image analysis.

RESULTS

After multiple logistic regression analysis, the G2M+S cell cycle fraction of the aneuploid tumor stemline was the most predictive parameter of pathological stage (p = 0.0004). Using a cutoff of 41%, patients with metastasis were predicted with a sensitivity of 71%. Of 61 patients with a G2M+S value of less than 41%, 53 had pathological stage A cancer (negative predictive value 87%). A low volume of embryonal carcinoma was predominant in patients at low risk for metastasis and MIB-1 immunohistochemical staining identified 23% of patients with pathological stage A tumor who were at extremely low risk for metastatic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of tumor cell proliferation cannot classify accurately high risk patients at a clinically applicable level. However, identification of patients at low risk for metastasis by flow cytometry, immunohistochemical proliferation markers and volume of embryonal carcinoma may be possible at the 90% level. MIB-1 staining is able to classify patients at extremely low risk for metastasis. These parameters deserve further study, since identification of patients at extremely low risk for metastasis could potentially decrease overall morbidity in the management of clinical stage A nonseminomatous testis cancer.

General anatomy of the lymphatic system

Lymphatic drainage from an anatomic site tends to be quite anatomically specific. Variation in drainage patterns may be related to individual variation in anatomy or to alteration of drainage pathways by processes such as disease, injury, or surgical treatment. Tumor cells or small groups of tumor cells enter the lymphatic system though the lymphatic saccules and then travel by embolization through the afferent lymphatics. Tumor cells in the afferent lymphatics may travel to a regional node and lodge in the node, or they may bypass the node via alternative channels. Coming from the lymph nodes are efferent lymphatics, which coalesce into collecting ducts that eventually drain into the large veins at the base of the neck, but there are many alternative smaller venous communications.

Cost- and risk-benefit considerations in the management of clinical stage I nonseminomatous testicular tumors

BACKGROUND

The high curability of clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs) and the availability of equally effective management options (retroperitoneal lymph node dissection [RPLND] and surveillance) allows for treatment decisions based on secondary end points, including sort- and long-term toxicity and cost relative to benefit. The purpose of this study was to perform cost-benefit and risk-benefit analyses of management options in clinical stage I NSGCT using data from the literature and Indiana University.

METHODS

The overall costs for 100 patients undergoing a primary RPLND were compared with the total costs of 100 patients managed by surveillance for clinical stage I disease. These two options were then analyzed in terms of survival, late relapse, acute and chronic toxicity (including fertility), and perioperative morbidity.

RESULTS

The overall costs of these two approaches were essentially identical. The two options were similar in terms of survival, although RPLND demonstrated superiority in terms of fertility, toxicity, and late relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

The choice of nerve-sparing RPLND or surveillance in clinical stage I NSGCT patient cannot be made on the basis of cost as a discriminator. Instead, the decision should be made based on patient desires, physician expertise, biological predictors, and short- and long-term toxicity.

Identification of multiple chromosome 12 abnormalities in human testicular germ cell tumors by two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)

The distribution of segments of the short and long arms of chromosome 12 was distinguished by two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 27 cytogenetically abnormal testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). A 12p-specific probe was developed by chromosomal microdissection and sequence-independent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and was combined with a commercially available whole-chromosome 12 painting probe. The TGCTs included both i(12p)-positive and i(12p)-negative primary tumors and lymph node metastases from patients in clinical stage I or stage II who were not previously treated with chemotherapy. Rearrangements of the short arm of chromosome 12 and overrepresentation of 12p DNA sequences were found in all cases. In addition, cryptic rearrangements of 12p were found in 39% (7/18) of the i(12p)-positive tumors and in 78% (7/9) of the i(12p)-negative tumors. Only 7% (2/27) of all tumors had cryptic rearrangements of 12q.

Improved accuracy of computerized tomography based clinical staging in low stage nonseminomatous germ cell cancer using size criteria of retroperitoneal lymph nodes

PURPOSE

We evaluated the significance of retroperitoneal lymph nodes detected by computerized tomography (CT) of low stage nonseminomatous germ cell tumor patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A blind retrospective review of 143 CTs of low stage nonseminomatous germ cell tumor revealed pathological stage A disease on 89 (62.2%) and pathological stage B disease on 54 (37.8%). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationships between diameter of the retroperitoneal nodes detected in these CTs and pathological stage.

RESULTS

Based on this model, as the diameter of the nodes increased within a 0 to 25 mm. range, the likelihood of pathological stage B disease increased in a continuous fashion. Using a 3 mm. threshold to define nonmetastatic nodes the sensitivity and negative predictive value of CT based staging was 90%.

CONCLUSIONS

This measurement scheme improves the accuracy of staging compared to conventional methods.

Late relapse of clinical stage I testicular cancer

PURPOSE

The clinical presentation and treatment of late recurrence (2 or more years after initial management) of testis cancer are defined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective search was performed to identify patients treated for late relapse at our university from 1979 to 1992 who had initially presented with clinical stage 1 disease.

RESULTS

We treated 35 patients with chemotherapy for late relapse. No patient has remained disease-free with chemotherapy alone. Subsequent surgery resulted in 43% of the patients being currently disease-free.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of late relapse is surgical. Chemotherapy before late relapse for low volume disease does not uniformly prevent late recurrence.

Hyperamylasemia after post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testis cancer

PURPOSE

Postoperative hyperamylasemia was evaluated in patients undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testis cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum levels of amylase, lipase and bilirubin were evaluated prospectively in the immediate postoperative period in 39 consecutive patients who underwent post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

RESULTS

Hyperamylasemia was found in 16 patients (41%), hyperlipasemia in 17 (43%) and hyperbilirubinemia in 9 (23%). Peak elevations were observed at 24 hours postoperatively and most returned to normal at 1 week. Elevation of these parameters was significantly associated with length and difficulty of the procedure. No patient demonstrated clinical acute pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Extended retraction of the pancreas during post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection may cause a minor reversible injury to the pancreas expressed as hyperamylasemia, hyperlipasemia and, rarely, jaundice. These findings are important to consider in the differential diagnosis of hyperamylasemia following post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.