Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Optimal strategy for treatment of relapsing intracranial malignant germ cell tumors remains ill-defined. Authors describe the French experience over a 25-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS Relapsing patients were retrieved by their participation in the SFOP-TGM 90-92 or GCT 96 protocols or from National Childhood Solid Tumour Registry. RESULTS The cohort included Group A: documented germinomas (n=14), Group B: patients treated as germinomas without histopathological proof (n=5) and Group C: secreting germ cell tumours (n=25). Patients all received standard dose chemotherapy, and some high dose chemotherapy (VP16 Thiotepa with stem cell rescue) and/or various type of radiation. The 5 year EFS and OS post relapse are: 79%[47 to 93%] and 86% [54 to 96%] respectively in group A, 20% [1 to 58%] and 80% [20 to 97%] respectively in group B, 56% [35 to 73%] and 60% [38 to 76%] respectively in group C. Among 14 Group A patients, 7/12 receiving high dose versus 3/3 receiving standard dose chemotherapy, and 9/11 re-irradiated versus 1/3 not re-irradiated are CR2. Among 21 Group C patients. who had received radiation in first line, 10/15 receiving high dose versus 1/6 receiving standard dose chemotherapy, and 7/11 re-irradiated versus 4/10 not re-irradiated are CR2. CONCLUSION The outcome of relapsing germinoma is favourable and intensity of second line remains matter of debate. High dose chemotherapy with radiotherapy, when feasible, should remain the reference for treatment of a relapsed non germinoma, though more active treatments are warranted.

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