Primary mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. A modern single institution experience

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Between 1976 and 1988, 31 patients with mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (MNGCT) received initial cisplatin‐based chemotherapy of uniform intensity. Eighteen of these patients (58%) obtained disease‐free status; 11 with chemotherapy alone and seven with adjunctive surgery. Eleven have remained continuously free of disease. Two have had recurrence of teratoma and are disease‐free after resection of teratoma at 12+ and 68+ months. Three patients developed recurrence of germ cell tumor. Three patients developed a hematologic malignancy. Of the 18 patients who obtained disease‐free status, 15 remain alive and disease‐free. Overall, 13 of the 31 patients and 24 other patients received salvage chemotherapy at Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana. Of these 37 patients, six obtained a disease‐free status and four (11%) remain alive at 13+, 56+, 78+, and 122+ months, respectively. This series represents the largest series of patients with MNGCT ever reported. Analysis of these data and results from other recent series suggest that approximately 50% of patients with MNGCT will be cured with modern, intense cisplatin‐based chemotherapy coupled with adjunctive surgery if needed.