Outcomes of patients with germ cell tumors diagnosed with stage I disease who subsequently received high dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with peripheral stem cell transplant (PBSCT) following failure of initial therapy for metastatic disease: The Indiana University experience.

Abstract

5029 Background: Pts with stage I testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) have a 15-year DFS of 99%. However, 1% are not cured, despite orchiectomy and systemic therapy at relapse. Predictive variables for relapse in this small population have not been identified. Methods: Pts undergoing HDCT with PBSCT as salvage therapy for relapsed GCT after an initial diagnosis of stage I disease managed with orchiectomy and surveillance were evaluated from a database at Indiana University. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, adherence to standard surveillance guidelines for stage I disease, prognostic variables, treatment received in the first-line setting, pattern of relapse, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: From 1/92 to 10/19, 71 pts (34 seminoma, 37 NSGCT) initially diagnosed with stage I GCT managed with orchiectomy and surveillance but subsequently relapsed and eventually required HDCT with PBSCT were identified. Median f/u time was 5.1 years (range, 1.1-18.8). Median age was 34.1. First-line chemo consisted of BEP or EP in most pts. Risk category at relapse: good/intermediate/poor (52/8/11). Pattern of initial relapse included 22 (seminoma n=13, NSGCT n=9) with RPLN only. Relapse and death after HDCT occurred in 2 of these 22 pts. Strict adherence to standard surveillance guidelines was observed in 62/71 pts. Relapse and/or death after HDCT occurred in 3 of 9 with inadequate surveillance follow-up. At a minimum of 1 yr follow-up, 54 of 71 (76%) remain alive, including 47 (66%) who have no evidence of disease (NED). Conclusions: Most patients in this series progressed despite appropriate surveillance and first-line chemotherapy. Pattern of relapse was also not indicative of further progression in most patients. Further investigation should evaluate disease biology that puts patients with potentially easily curable disease at risk of multiple relapses.[Table: see text]