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Oncologist 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.

Primary mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (PMNSGCT) frequently become refractory to chemotherapy, and no effective salvage therapy exists. We performed genomic profiling on a series of 44 PMNSGCT and compared the results with those from chemorefractory, metastatic pure seminomatous (Sem, = 22) and nonseminomatous (NS, = 86) testicular germ cell tumors. Archival tissues were sequenced by a hybrid capture-based technology (FoundationONE; Foundation Medicine, Inc. Read More

Am Surg 2018 Dec;84(12):e547-e548

Abdom Radiol (NY) 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.

Serum tumor markers (STMs) play a critical role in the diagnosis, staging and follow-up of both seminomatous and nonseminomatous testicular germ cell neoplasms. Levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), especially those measured after orchiectomy, also have implications for patient prognosis. Given that testicular germ cell tumors represent the most common solid tumor in men aged 20-34, radiologists must have familiarity with the clinical utilization and implications of these STMs. Read More

Case Rep Oncol Med 2018 8;2018:8065615. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Centro Universitario Contra el Cáncer, University Hospital "Dr. José Eleuterio González" and Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.

Choriocarcinoma syndrome (CS) is a rare clinical entity within the spectrum of nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCT). It is characterized by the abrupt establishment of rapidly progressive and hemorrhagic tumors associated with very high levels of the beta fraction of human chorionic gonadotropin (-hCG) and with a very poor prognosis, particularly in patients with -hCG values above 50,000 IU/L. We present the case of a 17-year-old man with a sudden onset nonmassive hemoptysis. Read More

Urol Oncol 2018 12 13;36(12):529.e23-529.e30. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Urology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany. Electronic address:

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic, surgical as well as oncological outcome of patients with a growing teratoma syndrome.

Material And Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis including 680 patients with advanced nonseminomatous germ cell tumors who underwent a postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. The peri- and postoperative outcome of 22 patients (3%) that fulfilled the criteria of a growing teratoma syndrome were analyzed: nonseminomatous germ cell tumors with increasing tumor size during or after chemotherapy despite normalized or decreasing tumor markers. Read More

Epigenomics 2018 Nov 12. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto, Portugal.

Aim: Assess differential patterns of selected five genes' promoter methylation among testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) subtypes.

Materials & Methods:  CRIPTO, HOXA9, MGMT, RASSF1A and SCGB3A1 promoter methylation levels were evaluated by quantitative methylation-specific PCR in 161 TGCT and 16 controls. Associations between clinicopathological parameters and promoter methylation levels were assessed, and receiver operating characteristics curve analysis was performed. Read More

BJU Int 2018 Nov 11. Epub 2018 Nov 11.

Department of Oncological Urology, UMC Utrecht Cancer Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Objectives: To report the long-term results of the sentinel node approach in clinical stage I testicular tumour patients in our facility.

Patients And Methods: Analysis of 27 consecutive patients suspected of clinical stage I testicular germ cell tumour and treated with a sentinel node procedure at our tertiary referral centre. Sentinel nodes were identified using lymphoscintigraphy with or without single photo emission computed tomography with computed tomography. Read More

Curr Urol Rep 2018 Nov 9;19(12):110. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Marburg 144, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Determining the metastatic viability of suspicious retroperitoneal nodes in testicular cancer with conventional imaging is challenging. The aim of this report is to review recent evidence in the utilization of novel imaging modalities to assess viable testicular cancer nodal metastases.

Recent Evidence: Testicular germ cell tumors (TCGTs) follow a predictable lymphatic metastatic spread to the retroperitoneum. Read More

J BUON 2018 Jul-Aug;23(4):1125-1129

Department of Surgical Pathology, Uludag University School of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey.

Purpose: Upregulation of N-cadherin in epithelial tumor cells has been reported to enhance the invasive process. Although the distribution of N-cadherin in the normal testis was demonstrated, there is no adequate information regarding its presence in testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs). Our purpose was to examine the expression and localization of N-cadherin in germ cell tumors of the testis and share our experience. Read More

Ann Surg Oncol 2018 Nov 6;25(12):3668-3675. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Urology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: The treatment goal for visceral metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) is to remove any residual teratoma or viable NSGCT after chemotherapy. However, this provides no therapeutic benefit to patients whose metastases necrotize on their own. This study therefore analyzed NSGCTs with pulmonary metastases to determine preoperative factors that predict necrosis and could help identify patients who might be treated with monitoring rather than surgery. Read More

Eur Urol Focus 2018 Jul 16. Epub 2018 Jul 16.

Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA; Foundation Medicine Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA.

Background: Although both seminomatous and nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) have favorable outcomes with chemotherapy, a subset is chemorefractory, and novel therapeutic options are needed.

Objective: To molecularly characterize chemotherapy-refractory TGCTs.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Archival tissues from 107 chemotherapy-treated and relapsed TGCT patients (23 seminomas; 84 nonseminomas) underwent hybrid-capture-based genomic profiling to evaluate four classes of genomic alterations (GAs). Read More

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2018 Sep 5;144(9):1817-1823. Epub 2018 Jul 5.

Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Chemotherapy, N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, 24 Kashirskoye sh., Moscow, 115478, Russia.

Purpose: Patients with metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (mNSGCT) and a high tumor burden or a poor performance status at initial diagnosis are at risk from potentially life-threatening early complications during or after the first chemotherapy cycle. The outcomes with dose-reduced first cycle of chemotherapy in this population of patients are not well established.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with mNSGCT and International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) poor risk features. Read More

Adv Urol 2018 2;2018:8781698. Epub 2018 Apr 2.

Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital FT, Sutton, Surrey, UK.

Testicular germ cell tumours are the commonest tumours of young men and are broadly managed either as pure seminomas or as 'nonseminomas'. The management of Stage 1 nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCTs), beyond surgical removal of the primary tumour at orchidectomy, is somewhat controversial. Cancer-specific survival rates in these patients are in the order of 99% regardless of whether surveillance, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, or adjuvant chemotherapy is employed. Read More

J Endourol 2018 May;32(S1):S97-S104

Department of Urology, Paracelsus Medical University , Salzburg, Austria .

The feasibility of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (RLA) for testicular cancer was shown >25 years ago. Initially the indication was clinical stage I (CS I) nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). Compared with that of open surgery, the morbidity was much decreased. Read More

Urol Oncol 2018 Jul 10;36(7):342.e1-342.e6. Epub 2018 May 10.

Department of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN.

Background: Risk of recurrent disease for men with clinical stage 1 high-risk nonseminomatous germ cell testicular cancer (CS1 NSGCT) with lymphovascular invasion (LVI) after orchiectomy is 50% and current treatment options (surveillance [S], retroperitoneal lymph node dissection [RPLND], or 1 cycle of BEP [BEP ×1]) are associated with a 99% disease specific survival, therefore practice patterns vary. We performed a decision analysis using updated data of long-term complications for men with CS1 NSGCT with LVI to quantify and assess relative treatment values.

Methods: Decision analysis included previously defined utilities (via standard gamble) for posttreatment states of living from 0 (death from disease) to 1 (alive in perfect health) and updated morbidity probabilities. Read More

Saudi Med J 2018 May;39(5):476-480

Department of Pathology, Taibah University, Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail.

Objectives: To determine the histopathological pattern of testicular diseases among Saudi patients in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This retrospective histopathology-based study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from January 2006 to December 2017. The data collected were entered into MS-Excel and  analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences Version 19. Read More

Urology 2018 Aug 25;118:114-118. Epub 2018 Apr 25.

Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Electronic address:

Objective: To evaluate the oncologic outcomes and histologic concordance of postchemotherapy residual liver mass resection with postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND).

Methods: Retrospective review of our prospectively maintained germ cell tumor (GCT) surgical database identified patients with nonseminomatous GCT who underwent both postchemotherapy residual liver mass resection and PC-RPLND between 1990 and 2015.

Results: A total of 36 patients were identified, of whom 29 (81%) presented with a liver mass at initial diagnosis and 17 (47%) received second-line chemotherapy before liver resection. Read More

Jpn J Clin Oncol 2018 Jun;48(6):565-569

Urology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Objective: To evaluate the survival rate and risk factors of distant metastasis in stage I non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) cases without adjuvant treatments.

Methods: A national testicular cancer survey of cases newly diagnosed in 2005 and 2008 was conducted by the Japanese Urological Association in 2011. In 159 stage I NSGCT cases, 132 were followed by active surveillance after high orchiectomy. Read More

Adv Urol 2018 31;2018:2375176. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.

While testicular germ cell tumors (T-GCTs) make up only 0.5% of pediatric malignancies and less than 2% of adult malignancies, they comprise 14% of adolescent malignancies, making it the most common solid tumor in this age group. The transition in incidence at this age is also accompanied by a transition in tumor histology with adolescents having mostly pure embryonal carcinoma and mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. Read More

Clin Cancer Res 2018 Aug 4;24(15):3755-3766. Epub 2018 Apr 4.

Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE), Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Oncobell Program, L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

To investigate the genetic basis of cisplatin resistance as efficacy of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the treatment of distinct malignancies is often hampered by intrinsic or acquired drug resistance of tumor cells. We produced 14 orthoxenograft transplanting human nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) in mice, keeping the primary tumor features in terms of genotype, phenotype, and sensitivity to cisplatin. Chromosomal and genetic alterations were evaluated in matched cisplatin-sensitive and their counterpart orthoxenografts that developed resistance to cisplatin in nude mice. Read More

Clin Genitourin Cancer 2018 06 2;16(3):e513-e516. Epub 2018 Mar 2.

Department of Medical Oncology, Oxford Cancer Centre, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Urol Int 2018 7;100(3):279-287. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

Department of Urology, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg, Germany.

Objective: The study aimed to calculate direct medical costs (DMC) during the first year of diagnosis and to evaluate the impact of guideline changes on treatment costs in clinical stage (CS) I testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) patients in a German healthcare system.

Materials And Methods: Healthcare expenditures as DMC during the first year of diagnosis for 307 TGCT patients in CS I treated at our institution from 1987 to 2013 were calculated from the statutory health insurance perspective using patient level data. Three periods were defined referring to the first European Association of Urology (EAU) guideline in 2001 as well as to subsequent major guideline changes in 2005 and 2010. Read More

Adv Urol 2018 1;2018:7978958. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

University of Southern California Institute of Urology, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.

Reducing the long-term morbidity in testicular cancer survivors represents a major area of interest. External beam radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy are established treatments for seminoma; however, they are associated with late toxicities such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and secondary malignancy. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is a standard treatment for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) that has minimal long-term morbidity. Read More

J Urol 2018 Jul 21;200(1):126-135. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Department of Surgery (Urology) and Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Purpose: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is recommended for residual masses greater than 1 cm after chemotherapy of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. Currently there is no reliable predictor of post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection histology. Up to 50% of patients harbor necrosis/fibrosis only so that a potentially morbid surgery has limited therapeutic value. Read More

Basic Clin Androl 2018 25;28. Epub 2018 Jan 25.

1Department of Urology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-chou, Hirosaki, 036-8562 Japan.

Background: Although oncologic testicular sperm extraction (onco-TESE) has been increasingly practiced, the evidence of onco-TESE performed in patients with testicular cancer is insufficient. Furthermore, in bilateral testicular cancer, accounting for 0.5%-1% of testicular cancers, onco-TESE is more challenging and has been insufficiently reported. Read More

Urology 2018 Apr 2;114:133-138. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NY. Electronic address:

Objective: To determine the pathologic findings and clinical outcome of patients with pure embryonal carcinoma (EC) of the testis who were diagnosed with testis cancer from January 1989 to January 2013 who underwent an orchiectomy, cisplatin-based chemotherapy and a postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND).

Methods: We compared those patients with 100% EC with those with mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumor pathology who underwent a PC-RPLND.

Results: Of 1105 patients who underwent a PC-RPLND, 145 had pure EC. Read More

Bratisl Lek Listy 2018 ;119(1):3-5

Objective: Primary aim was to assess relapse‑free survival (RFS) in patients with clinical stage I (CS I) of non-seminomatous germ cell testicular tumors (NSGCTT) undergoing surveillance after orchiectomy. The secondary aim was to examine differences in risk factors in patients with early relapse (ER 2 years) and very late relapse (VLR > 5 years).

Methods: Cross-sectional study analyzed 25‑year single‑center experiences with 198 CS I NSGCTT patients according the time to relapse. Read More

Clin Genitourin Cancer 2018 04 27;16(2):e349-e354. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

Service de Pathologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, Paris, France; Service de Recherches en Hémato-immunologie, CEA, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, UMR E_5, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Paris, France; Université Paris Diderot, Inserm, UMR_S1165, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Paris, France. Electronic address:

Med Oncol 2018 Jan 31;35(3):21. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

The frequency of co-occurrence between germ cell tumor (GCT) components in non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT) orchiectomy specimens and their correlation with histologic findings in subsequent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) specimens have not been well characterized. The objective of the study was to report the first detailed clinicopathologic analysis of NSGCT orchiectomy and RPLND samples to determine the likelihood and agreement of the co-occurrence of GCT components. A total of 118 consecutive patients with NSGCT treated between 1988 and 2012 who underwent both orchiectomy and RPLND at a single academic tertiary care center were analyzed. Read More

Am J Surg Pathol 2018 03;42(3):306-311

Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

The recent 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual had multiple changes concerning how pathologists should stage germ cell tumors (GCTs) of the testis. A significant one concerns the impact of different types of spermatic cord involvement, specifically direct tumor extension versus discontinuous involvement by invasion through lymphovascular spaces. We compared clinicopathologic findings and outcome data between 2 cohorts with these findings to evaluate the validity of the change in the AJCC 8th edition manual. Read More

Case Rep Oncol 2017 Sep-Dec;10(3):910-915. Epub 2017 Oct 17.

Department of Oncology, CHU UcL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium.

Background: Growing teratoma syndrome is a rare syndrome that affects patients with nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCTs). It is characterized by recurrent growing masses that appear during or after chemotherapy in the presence of normal levels of tumor markers. Histological examination is the only way to confirm the diagnosis. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2017 Dec;96(49):e8938

Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.

Rationale: Typically robot-assisted laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (R-RPLND) has been performed via a transperitoneal approach. Herein we report the first case of a novel R-RPLND using an extraperitoneal approach.

Patient Concerns: A 38-year-old man presented with an enlarging right scrotal mass. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2017 26;2017:3702605. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

Department of Critical Care Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill patients with testicular cancer (TC) admitted to an oncological intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: This was a prospective observational study. There were no interventions. Read More

Eur J Cancer 2017 12 14;87:140-146. Epub 2017 Nov 14.

Gustave Roussy, Université Paris-Saclay, Département de Médecine Oncologique, Villejuif, F-94805, France.

Background: The GETUG 13 phase III trial tested personalised chemotherapy based on tumour marker decline in patients with poor-prognosis germ-cell tumour (GCT) and demonstrated that a dose-dense regimen improves progression-free survival in patients with an unfavourable decline. We investigated the pattern of relapse for patients included in GETUG 13.

Methods: We conducted an analysis of relapse events in patients from GETUG 13. Read More

Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2018 01 13;18(1):101-105. Epub 2017 Nov 13.

a Clinical Oncology department, Faculty of Medicine , Ain Shams University , Cairo , Egypt.

Background: Older age is a poor prognostic indicator among patients with germ cell tumors. The current study evaluates an age-integrated international germ cell consensus classification (IGCCC) for advanced germ cell tumors.

Methods: SEER database (2004-2014) was accessed through SEER*Stat program and both IGCCC and age-integrated IGCCC were calculated based on site of the primary, site of the metastasis and level of tumor markers. Read More

Urology 2018 02 6;112:103-111. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Electronic address:

Objective: To describe epidemiologic patterns, stage at presentation, histology, and treatment differences associated with Hispanic men diagnosed with testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT). Hispanics are the fastest growing demographic in the United States and reports suggest that the incidence of TGCT is rising most rapidly in this demographic, yet little is known about TGCTs in Hispanic patients.

Materials And Methods: We compared patient factors, tumor characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of non-Hispanic white (NHW) vs Hispanic patients at our own institution in North Texas from 2010 to 2016. Read More

Case Rep Oncol 2017 Sep-Dec;10(3):832-839. Epub 2017 Sep 15.

Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Southwestern Regional Center, Tulsa, OK, USA.

Introduction: Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in men aged 15-40 years [Bols et al.: Philadelphia, Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2011]. Its incidence comprises 0. Read More

Neuro Oncol 2017 Nov;19(12):1661-1672

Radiation Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France; Paediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Institute d'Hémato-Oncologie Pédiatrique, Centre Leon Berard, Lyon, France; Neuro-Oncology, G.Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genoa, Italy; ESPED University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; Radiation Therapy and Radio-oncology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; Paediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Muenster, Germany; Paediatric Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Paediatric Oncology, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK; Institute of Neuropathology, Bonn, Germany; Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Department of Radiotherapy, Royal Marsden Hospital, Surrey, UK; Department of Neuropathology, Centre Leon Berard, Lyon, France.

Background: Following promising results to increase survival and reduce treatment burden in intracranial non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs), we conducted a European study using dose-intense chemotherapy followed by risk-adapted radiotherapy.

Methods: All patients received 4 courses of cisplatin/etoposide/ifosfamide. Non-metastatic patients then received focal radiotherapy only (54 Gy); metastatic patients received 30 Gy craniospinal radiotherapy with 24 Gy boost to primary tumor and macroscopic metastatic sites. Read More

Clin Genitourin Cancer 2017 Sep 5. Epub 2017 Sep 5.

Institute of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

Background: The World Health Organization classification of urologic cancer 2016 describes 3 noninvasive precursor lesions for testicular germ cell tumor type II (TGCT) of young adults. Germ cell neoplasia in situ is the initial precursor lesion. Intratubular seminoma (ITSE), and intratubular embryonal carcinoma (ITEC) are 2 intermediate precursor lesions. Read More

Neuro Oncol 2018 03;20(4):519-530

Comprehensive Cancer Center of Taipei Medical University, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Background: Pediatric central nervous system germ cell tumors (CNSGCTs) are rare and heterogeneous neoplasms, which can be divided into germinomas and nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs). NGGCTs are further subdivided into mature teratomas and nongerminomatous malignant GCTs (NGMGCTs). Clinical outcomes suggest that NGMGCTs have poor prognosis and survival and that they require more extensive radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Read More

World J Urol 2018 Jan 12;36(1):73-78. Epub 2017 Oct 12.

The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute and Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street/Marburg 134, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.

Purpose: While retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) is traditionally reserved for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, recent efforts to reduce long-term toxicities of radiation and chemotherapy have turned attention to its application for testicular seminomas. Currently, RPLND is reserved for the post-chemotherapy for stage II testicular seminomas; we aimed to describe current utilization of RPNLD for testicular seminomas by stage and implications for survival.

Methods: A national sample of men diagnosed with stage IA/IB/IS/IIA/IIB/IIC testicular seminoma (1988-2013) was evaluated from SEER Program registries. Read More

Clin Chem 2018 Feb 11;64(2):270-278. Epub 2017 Oct 11.

Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco," University of Milan, and Clinical Pathology Laboratory, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, Milan, Italy.

Background: Clinical practice guidelines recommend the measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and/or hCGβ in serum for management of testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs). These guidelines, however, disregard relevant biochemical information on hCG variants to be detected for oncological application. We set out to provide a critical review of the clinical evidence together with a characterization of the selectivity of currently marketed hCG immunoassays, identifying assays suitable for management of GCTs. Read More

J Urol 2018 Mar 28;199(3):741-747. Epub 2017 Sep 28.

Testis Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy.

Purpose: The prognosis of stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of the testis is favorable. Early and late side effects of treatment may affect quality of life and survival. We determined the tolerability, safety and efficacy of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in patients with stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of the testis at a high volume center. Read More

Einstein (Sao Paulo) 2017 Oct-Dec;15(4):496-499. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

Instituto de Assistência Médica ao Servidor Público Estadual, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual "Francisco Morato de Oliveira", São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Germ cell tumors are rare neoplasms that mostly occur in the gonads, although they can also affect other body sites, especially the anterior mediastinum (50 to 70% of all extragonadal germ cell tumors). We report a case of a primary mediastinal yolk sac tumor, a rare and aggressive germ cell tumors subtype. This was a 38-year-old man who was admitted to Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual "Francisco Morato de Oliveira", complaining about dyspnea and dry cough for 1 year. Read More

Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 2017 Sep;15(9):708-715

Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.

Seminomas account for approximately 50% of all cases of testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is a highly curable disease that can be broadly classified as either seminomatous or nonseminomatous; the management and treatment of the 2 forms vary widely. Although surgery plays a large role in the management of nonseminoma, its role in the management of seminoma is much more limited. Read More

Urol Oncol 2018 01 19;36(1):14.e7-14.e15. Epub 2017 Sep 19.

Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Electronic address:

Background: Given the rarity of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) and the complex aspects of management, we evaluate the effect of hospital TGCT case volume on overall survival outcomes and practice patterns.

Materials And Methods: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients diagnosed with seminoma or nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). Hospitals were classified by case volume as high (99th percentile, ≥26. Read More

Int J Surg Pathol 2018 Apr 1;26(2):148-150. Epub 2017 Sep 1.

1 Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA.

Diffuse embryoma is a rare pattern of nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of the testis originally described in 1983. We report a case with this predominant pattern in an 18-year-old male with a painless palpable testicular mass. Although it is relatively common to see a diffuse embryoma pattern focally in mixed nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis, it is rarely the predominant pattern and can represent a diagnostic pitfall on routine hematoxylin and eosin stain. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2017 Aug 18;18:902-907. Epub 2017 Aug 18.

Division of Hematology/Oncology, Simmons Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL, USA.

BACKGROUND Primary mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs) are aggressive and carry a poor five-year disease free survival rate even with aggressive treatment. We describe a young adult male with primary mediastinal NSGCT presenting with airway obstruction and superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS). CASE REPORT The patient presented with four weeks of nonproductive cough, weight loss, and right-sided pleuritic chest pain. Read More

Zhonghua Wai Ke Za Zhi 2017 Aug;55(8):603-607

Department of Urology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.

To explore the clinical outcome of advanced testicular nonseminomatous germ cell cancer patients undergoing post chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND), and to analyze the relevant prognostic factors of lymph node pathological. A total of 43 consecutive testicular nonseminomatous germ cell cancer patients underwent PC-RPLND between March 2001 and December 2014 in Department of Urology at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were retrospectively reviewed. The average age of the patients was (29. Read More