Adjuvant surgery in patients with testicular cancer undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

Abstract

335 Background: Up to 50% of patients who undergo induction chemotherapy for metastatic germ cell cancer have significant residual retroperitoneal disease in whom post chemotherapy RPLND is indicated with intent to cure. Since complete resection is a critical component in PC-RPLND, meticulous dissection of the retroperitoneum with resection of involved organs or structures (adjuvant surgery) should be considered whenever feasible to ensure optimal outcome. Methods: From 2004 to 2010, 85 testicular cancer patients underwent PC-RPLND by a single surgeon (SD). A bilateral template approach was utilized with nerve sparing technique whenever feasible. The clinico-pathologic and outcome of patients who underwent adjuvant surgery during PC-RPLND were reviewed. Results: Of 85 patients undergoing PC-RPLND, 28 (33%) required adjuvant procedures. Thirteen (15%) required vascular procedures including cavotomy/ caval resection in six, aortic resection in eight, common iliac vessels resection in four and renal vessels resection/reimplant in two. Twelve patients (14%) required adjuvant nephrectomy (10/12 left sided). There was 1 ureteral resection with appendiceal substitution, 1 partial duodenectomy, 2 cholecystectomy, 2 thoracotomies, 4 liver resection/ biopsy, and 1 neck dissection. There were 8 early complications (28%) including vocal cord paralysis, brachial plexus injury, lower extremities compartment syndrome, thigh numbness, UGI bleeding, retroperitoneal hematoma and alcohol withdrawal. No peri-operative death was reported. Retroperitoneal pathology revealed mature teratoma in 11 (39%), fibrosis in 8 (28%) and viable germ cell tumor (GCT) in 9 (32%) patients. 75%, 82% and 66% of patients with fibrosis, teratoma and viable GCT had no evidence of recurrence in mean follow up of 18 months. Conclusions: A significant number of patients undergoing PC-RPLND require adjuvant surgery including vascular procedures and nephrectomy. The excellent outcomes associated with low operative morbidity/mortality validate such aggressive surgical approaches performed by experienced surgeons.