Late gastrointestinal (GI) complications in patients with stage I-II testicular seminoma treated with radiotherapy (RT).

Abstract

4595 Background: For stage I-II testicular seminoma, RT is highly effective at eradicating disease in the abdominopelvic lymph nodes, but results in unnecessary exposure to normal tissues including the GI tract. The purpose of this study was to define the incidence and risk factors for late GI complications in this patient population. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 251 patients with stage I-II testicular seminoma treated with curative intent RT at our institution from 1974-2009. All patients underwent orchiectomy and postoperative external beam RT to the involved and/or at-risk nodal basins. Potential late GI complications that were assessed included endoscopically-confirmed gastric or duodenal ulceration, small bowel obstruction (SBO), and biopsy-confirmed malignancy of the GI tract. Risks were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier (KM) technique and univariate/multivariate analyses were performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Median age at diagnosis was 36 years (range 18 – 80). Clinical stage was I (n=199) or II (n=52). Median abdominopelvic RT dose was 26 Gy (interquartile range 25 – 30). Median follow-up was 15 years (range 0.1 – 38). KM estimates for any GI complication (ulcer, SBO, or GI malignancy) at 10, 20, and 30 years were 7, 10 and 24%, respectively. Four patients died as result of a GI complication. KM estimates for ulcer at 10, 20, and 30 years were 4, 7, and 9%, respectively. Age at RT (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.05, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.00 – 1.10, p=0.03) and RT total dose (per Gy, HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.09 – 1.31, p<0.01) were associated with risk of ulcer. KM estimates for SBO at 10, 20, and 30 years were 2%, 2%, and 3%, respectively. History of inflammatory bowel disease was associated with risk of SBO (HR 43, 95% CI 7-325, p<0.01). KM estimates for GI malignancy at 10, 20, and 30 years were 0.5, 3 and 16%, respectively. Age at RT was associated with risk of GI malignancy (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.14, p=0.01). Conclusions: In patients with stage I-II testicular seminoma treated with RT, late GI complications were a relatively uncommon, but clinically significant source of late morbidity. Use of low dose, limited field, and/or proton RT may reduce these risks.