bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complications during cisplatin-based primary chemotherapy in patients with testicular cancer: Is there a need for thromboembolic prophylaxis?
Authors: Pfister David J. K. P. , Porres Daniel , Wolsky Ingrid , Thissen Andrea K. , Heidenreich Axel 
Published: February 2017

371 Background: Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is an integral part of the multimodal therapy of patients with testicular cancer. The purpose of this analysis is to evaluate the chemotherapy associated side effects of primary treatment in a modern patient cohort and to correlate them to clinical stage and IGCCCG risk profile. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed charts of patients with testicular cancer in our institution from January 2003 until today. A total of 88 patients received systemic treatment, among those 74 as a primary treatment with 2 to 4 cycles of PEB. Side effects had been categorized according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4. Results: 46 of 74 patients receiving PEB had at least one side effect. The most common side effects were haematotoxic with leucopenia in 34 (45.9%), febrile neutropenia in 10 (13.5%), gastrointestinal in 22 (29.7%), and thromboembolic events in 10 (14.8%) of the patients including three therapy associated deaths. Adverse events in clinical stage I are low. Nevertheless there is one therapy associated death due to neutropenic fever. Although there are no differences in haematotoxic AEs in clinical stage II and III there is a significant trend of developing pulmonary embolism. Patients with clinical higher than stage IIb and intermediate/poor prognosis have the highest risk of pulmonary embolism (20% ). Conclusions: In patients with curative treatment with PEB there are significant AE´s. To reduce therapy associated morbidity and mortality, supportive treatment with granulocyte stimulating factor and therapeutic anticoagulation should be discussed at least in high-risk patients.
The impact of clinical trial evidence and sociodemographic factors on institutional practice patterns for stage I testicular cancer.
Authors: Agarwal Gautum , Valderamma Oscar , Nguyen Sabine , Luchey Adam , Pow-Sang Julio , Spiess Philippe E. , Poch Michael Adam , Sexton Wade Jeffers 
Published: February 2017

372 Background: Contemporary management for patients with stage I testicular cancer (TC) continues to evolve. Survival is dependent upon staging, surveillance, and the treatment(s) rendered. We sought to determine whether treatment recommendations have been impacted by evidence gained from recent clinical trials and how sociodemographic factors might affect therapeutic decisions for patients with stage I pure seminoma (PS) and nonseminoma (NSGCT). Methods: We performed a single institution, institutional review board approved, retrospective review of patients evaluated for TC from 1999 to 2013. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were performed between multiple variables including: type of treatment, specialty of the provider, year of treatment, insurance status, distance traveled to our hospital, and education level. Results: Four hundred forty patients were evaluated; of this group 121 patients had stage I TC. For NSGCT patients, living further than 50 miles from our center was associated with treatment (p=0.013). NSGCT patients who had completed an undergraduate education were more likely to undergo surveillance compared to those with a high school education (p<0.01). If intervention was recommended, NSGCT patients evaluated prior to 2010 were more likely to undergo primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) (p<0.01). After 2010 these patients were more likely to have primary chemotherapy (PC) (p<0.01). NSGCT patients evaluated by urologic oncologists had higher RPLND rates while patients evaluated by medical oncologists more often received PC (p<0.01). The percentage of PS patients receiving external beam radiation decreased from 40% to 5% after 2010, while the rate of surveillance increased from 47% to 79% (p=0.016). For all stage I patients the presence of lymphovascular invasion was associated with treatment compared to surveillance (p<0.001). Conclusions: The management of patients with stage I TC has changed significantly over the past decade. In our study, management recommendations have been shown to be dependent upon the specialty of the provider and other social factors such as distance from the hospital as well as education level, which suggests the possibility of bias during patient counseling.
Do seminoma germ cell elements affect perioperative outcomes following post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for metastatic testis cancer?
Authors: Agarwal Gautum , Buethe David D. , Russell Christopher , Espiritu Patrick , Luchey Adam , Spiess Philippe E. , Pow-Sang Julio , Poch Michael Adam , Sexton Wade Jeffers 
Published: February 2017

378 Background: Post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissections (PC-RPLND) performed at high-volume centers are safe and comparable in risk to primary RPLNDs. The desmoplastic reaction encountered during PC-RPLND in patients with seminoma components increases the complexity of surgical dissection. We examined whether the presence of seminoma at diagnosis was associated with more adverse events in the perioperative setting. Methods: A single institution review board approved retrospective review identified 108 patients undergoing PC−RPLND from 1992 to 2012. All patients had received at least first-line cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy. Of these, 11 patients undergoing redo PC-RPLNDs were excluded from analysis. Patients were divided into two groups; those with any seminoma element in their orchiectomy or retroperitoneal specimens and those without seminoma elements. We performed independent t-tests and Chi-squared analysis of the data. Results: Of 97 patients undergoing PC-RPLND, 33 had seminoma components in their diagnostic specimens. Using the Clavien classification system to stratify post-operative complications, the percentage of seminomatous elements (less than 50% compared to more than 50%) within the primary tumor did not correlate with a higher incidence of complications; even when examining only major complications (p=0.673). There was a trend towards higher nephrectomy rate for tumors with seminoma elements compared to those without (27% vs. 8.5%, p = .058). The nephrectomy rate did show a dependence on the pathologic size of the residual mass regardless of histology (31% for more than 10 cm, 6.8% for 5 to 10 cm, 0% for 0 to 5 cm p = 0.021). There was also a trend towards blood loss greater than one liter for patients with seminoma elements compared to those without (63% vs. 43%, p = 0.078), while the transfusion rate was similar between the two groups (p=0.785). Post−operative length of stay was independent of a patient’s histology (p=0.94). Conclusions: PC-RPLND remains a safe and necessary therapeutic procedure. The presence of seminoma germ cell elements in our patient cohort did not result in a more complicated perioperative course surrounding PC-RPLND.
Predicting progression in patients followed with active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer.
Authors: Sternberg Itay Aharon , Yu Changhong , Keren Paz Gal Elimelech , Kim Philip H. , Bernstein Melanie , Lakin Paul , Kattan Michael W. , Ehdaie Behdar , Laudone Vincent Paul , Scardino Peter T. , Eastham James Andrew , Touijer Karim A. 
Published: February 2017

38 Background: Due to the inability to predict progression and need for treatment, patients with low-risk prostate cancer (LRPC) managed by active surveillance (AS) are subjected to repeated biopsies and their possible complications. We developed a nomogram predicting the risk of progression in patients on AS for LRPC. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients enrolled in an AS program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) between 1993 and 2012 was conducted. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic data for patients who met the inclusion criteria for AS (cT1 or cT2a, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] less than 10, Gleason 6 or less, no more than three positive biopsy cores and no greater than 50% involvement of any single core) on the diagnostic and the confirmatory biopsies were collected and used to develop a nomogram for predicting progression-free probability. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to model the association between each risk variable (age, PSA levels, clinical stage, biopsy features) and disease progression. Progression was defined as failure to meet the inclusion criteria during follow up. Results: A total of 1,095 patients were enrolled in an AS program at MSKCC during the study period, of which 680 met the inclusion criteria for AS on both the diagnostic and the confirmatory biopsies and had available follow-up. At a median follow-up of 3 years 101 patients progressed. A nomogram predicting the progression-free probability was designed based on characteristics at diagnosis, result of a confirmatory biopsy and the number of negative and positive surveillance biopsies to date. A concordance index of 0.596 was calculated. Conclusions: Conditioned upon external validation, this nomogram can be used to counsel patients on their risk of progression and their surveillance protocol can be adjusted appropriately, possibly avoiding unnecessary biopsies and preventing biopsy-related complications.
Vascular anomalies in patients undergoing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.
Authors: Thissen Andrea K. , Porres Daniel , Pfister David J. K. P. , Piper Charlotte , Heidenreich Axel 
Published: February 2017

382 Background: Anomalies of the renal vessels usually are clinically silent and might depicted during CT scanning of the abdomen for staging purposes of urological malignancies. Awareness of these rare anomalies is crucial especially in patients undergoing staging for germ cell tumors in order to avoid overstaging and unnecessary therapy. We report on the incidence of renal vessel anomalies in an unselected group of patients undergoing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for testis cancer. Methods: 245 patients with testicular germ cell tumors underwent primary or secondary RPLND following inductive chemotherapy. Prior to RPLND, all patients underwent abdominal staging by CT scans or by MRI in selected cases. CT scans were reviewed with regard to the detection of vascular anomalies of the vena cava inf., renal veins, renal arteries, and iliac vessels. CT findings were correlated with intraoperative findings. Results: Overall, vascular anomalies were encountered in 39 patients (15.9%): retroaortic left renal vein in 10 (4.1%), circumaortic left renal vein in two (0.8%), reduplication of the common iliac vein in one (0.4%), accessory renal arteries in 14 (5.7%), thrombosis of the inferior vena cava in 12 (4.9%) patients with IIC disease. Anomalies of the renal vein were detected in 10 out of 12 (83%), in two cases venous anomalies were falsely diagnosed as lymph node disease in stage I NSGCT. All arterial anomalies were identified preoperatively. CT scan identified caval thrombosis in only eight cases (68%), four cases were identified by an additional MRI of the abdomen. Conclusions: Vascular anomalies are frequently encountered in patients with RPLND for testis cancer and have to be acknowledged during surgery even with negative imaging studies. Retroaortic renal veins represent a potential pitfall of CT imaging resulting in unnecessary therapy; it should be considered in pts with CT suspicious lymph nodes caudal to the renal hilus. IVC thrombosis is associated with advanced disease and is best diagnosed by MRI of the abdomen.
Management of growing teratoma syndrome: Aachen University experience.
Authors: Pfister David J. K. P. , Porres Daniel , Thissen Andrea K. , Piper Charlotte , Heidenreich Axel 
Published: February 2017

385 Background: Growing teratoma syndrome (GTS) is an infrequent clinical phenomenon. GTS is defined as an enlarging metastatic mass during systemic chemotherapy for advanced nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) despite decreasing serum tumor markers. Complete surgical resection of the mass is mandatory to achieve a favourable outcome. We report on our single center experience in the management of GTS. Methods: Between January 2000 and August 2009 postchemotherapeutic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PCRPLND) was performed in 162 patients (pts) with advanced NSGCT. Fourteen pts (4.9%) fulfilled the criteria of a GTS: enlarging metastatic mass in the retroperitoneum or visceral organs during systemic chemotherapy with normalized or regredient tumor markers. In all cases of GTS a complete radical bilateral PCRPLND including the resection of adjacent visceral and vascular structures was performed. Results: Median patient age was 24.5 (18 to 52) years. All patients exhibited NSGCT with a good or intermediate prognosis according to IGCCCG; in all cases the primary tumor contained predominantly (greater than 50%) mature teratoma; 10 and 4 patients presented with clinical stage IIC and III, resp. Median tumor diameter at time of surgery was 6,5 (3,0-35)cm. Tumor markers were normalized in 12 out of 14 patients and markers plateauted in 2 out of 14 patients. Tumor masses were localized in the retroperitoneum in 12 pts.; two patients had additional pulmonary metastases which were resected in a second approach. Median time from start of chemotherapy to surgery was 4.8 (1.5 to 26.5) months Median surgical time was 265 (165 to 585) minutes, and median blood loss 650 (450 to 2,000) ml. Four pts required resection of the inferior vena cava or abdominal aorta with implantation of a prosthetic graft; adjunctive nephrectomy was performed in three pts. After a median follow-up of 4.2 years two pts developed recurrent disease; the remainder are alive without evidence of disease. Conclusions: GTS is a rare phenomenom among pts with advanced NSGCT and necessitates complete surgical resection of all masses with curative intention. Surgery should be considered at time of progression to facilitate complete removal of the mass. Due to the complex surgery, treatment should be performed at specialized centers.
Inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancer: Predictors of lymph node metastasis.
Authors: Luchey Adam , Espiritu Patrick , Gopman Jared , Agarwal Gautum , Pow-Sang Julio M. , Sexton Wade Jeffers , Spiess Philippe E. 
Published: February 2017

386 Background: Inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) for lymph node metastasis (LNM) of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (SCCP) can be a curative surgical treatment. Having the potential to identify clinical and pathological factors that predict LNM is important because of the poor prognosis this diagnosis carries. Methods: A retrospective review of 51 patients that underwent inguinal plus pelvic lymph node dissection from 1999 to 2012 was preformed. Age, race, body mass index (BMI), significant lymphadenopathy on preoperative imaging (nodes > 1 cm), palpable lymphadenopathy, and pathologic depth of invasion and diameter of the primary penile tumor along with associated lymphovascular invasion (LVI) were recorded and analyzed as potential predictors of LNM. Results: Median patient age was 65 and the median BMI was 29.3. Thirty-nine patients (76.5%) were white, 3 (5.9%) African American, and 9 (17.6%) were Hispanic. Median primary penile tumor diameter was 3.2 cm with 7, 29, and 15 patients having well, moderate, and poorly differentiated tumors. Pre-operatively, 32 patients (62.7%) had palpable lymphadenopathy on physical exam and 26 (51.0%) had significant lymphadenopathy on imaging (93% CT, 7% MRI), with 24 (47.1%) having both findings. Thirty-one patients (60.8%) who underwent ILND had pathological LNM. On univariate analysis, palpable nodes (p < 0.001), nodes on imaging (p <0.001), having both palpable nodes and nodes on imaging (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.02), and LVI (p = 0.04), were significantly associated with LMN. On multivariate analysis, having nodes on imaging (p = 0.001) and age < 65 years (p = 0.049) were significant for predicting LNM. Conclusions: In evaluation of patients with T1-T3 penile cancer, multiple factors were predictive of LNM in our series: palpable and radiographic nodes, younger than age 65 and LVI. Inguinal adenopathy defined as more than 1 cm appears to better predict occult nodal metastasis, however, this must be weighed in terms of the additional cost and clinical yield provided by widespread adoption of pelvic (CT or MRI) imaging in all patients with aggressive primary penile tumor phenotypes.
Surgical management of testicular cancer patients with complex postchemotherapy residual masses: Aachen University experience.
Authors: Heidenreich Axel , Porres Daniel , Piper Charlotte , Thissen Andrea K. , Pfister David J. K. P. 
Published: February 2017

387 Background: Post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (PC-RPLND) represents the treatment of choice in patients with residual masses following chemotherapy for advanced non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumors (NSGCT). Involvement of the abdominal aorta, the inferior vena cava or the thoracic/lumbar spine are rare but need complete resection for curative intent. We report on our single center experience in the management of such complex cases. Methods: Between January 2009 and September 2014 post-chemotherapeutic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PCRPLND) was performed in 162 patients (pts) with advanced NSGCT. Fourteen pts (4.9%) fulfilled the criteria of a GTS: enlarging metastatic mass in the retroperitoneum or visceral organs during systemic chemotherapy with normalized or regredient tumor markers. In all cases of GTS a complete radical bilateral PCRPLND including the resection of adjacent visceral and vascular structures was performed. Results: Median patient age was 24.5 (18 to 52). All patients exhibited NSGCT with a good or intermediate prognosis according to IGCCCG; 10 and 4 patients presented with clinical stage IIC and III, resp. Median tumor diameter at time of surgery was 6.5 (3,0-35)cm. Tumor markers were normalized in 12 out of 14 patients and markers plateauted in 2 out of 14 patients. Tumor masses were localized in the retroperitoneum in 12 pts; two pts had additional pulmonary metastases which were resected in a second approach. Median time from start of chemotherapy to surgery was 4.8 (1.5 to 26.5) months Median surgical time was 265 (165 to 585) minutes, median blood loss 650 (450 to 2,000) ml. Four pts required resection of the inferior vena cava or abdominal aorta with implantation of a prosthetic graft; adjunctive nephrectomy was performed in three pts. After a median follow-up of 4.2 years two pts developed recurrent disease; the remainder are alive without evidence of disease. Conclusions: Involvement of vascular structures and/or bone is a rare phenomenom among pts with advanced NSGCT and necessitates complete surgical resection of all masses with curative intention. Due to the complex surgery, treatment should be performed at specialized centers.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with primary mediastinal germ cell tumors.
Authors: Sakdejayont Siwat , Sathitruangsak Chirawadee , Sunpaweravong Patrapim , Dechaphunkul Arunee 
Published: February 2017

389 Background: Mediastinal germ cell tumors (MGCTs) account for 20% of all mediastinal tumors. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by surgical resection of residual tumor remains the standard of care. To prevent pulmonary complications secondary to extensive thoracic surgery, non-bleomycin containing regimen is generally preferred. This study aims to review clinical characteristics and outcomes of these patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was undertaken in patients with MGCTs treated in our institution between 1993 and 2013. Results: A total of 40 patients were enrolled with a median age of 24. Only one patient is female. Stratified by histology; eight patients (20%) had pure seminoma, 25 patients (62.5%) had pure non-seminoma, four patients (10%) had mixed seminoma and non-seminoma, and three patients (7.5%) had malignant transformation (two adenocarcinoma, one sarcoma). Median tumor size was 13 centimeters. Ninety-two percent of patients received chemotherapy as a first treatment modality, whereas 8% underwent upfront surgery. All patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy: Eighty seven percent bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin; 13% etoposide and cisplatin. Seventy-two percent of patients completed four planned cycles of chemotherapy. Thirty-one patients were able to assess radiological response: 3.2% complete response, 58.1% partial response, 29.0% stable disease, and 9.7% progressive disease. Forty-four percent of patients achieved completely serological response with chemotherapy. Seventeen patients underwent surgical resection of residual tumor. Among these, viable tumor was seen in 35% (6 out of 17 patients). No patients complicated with clinically significant pulmonary complications after thoracic surgery. The five year overall survival (OS) of patients with seminoma was 72.9% as compared with 19.9% in those with non-seminoma (p=0.012). For those who received chemotherapy followed by surgical resection with no viable tumor or only mature teratoma detected (N=11), the five year OS was 64.9%. Conclusions: Our study confirmed the importance of multi-modality approaches with primary chemotherapy followed by surgical resection of residual tumor. Bleomycin-containing regimen can be safely used in this setting.
Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in patients with synchronous metastases from renal cell carcinoma: Results from the International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC).
Authors: Heng Daniel Yick Chin , Rini Brian I. , Beuselinck Benoit , Lee Jae-Lyun , Knox Jennifer J. , Bjarnason Georg A. , Pal Sumanta Kumar , Kollmannsberger Christian K. , Yuasa Takeshi , Srinivas Sandy , Donskov Frede , Bamias Aristotelis , Wood Lori , Ernst D. Scott , Agarwal Neeraj , Vaishampayan Ulka N. , Rha Sun Young , Kim Jenny J. , Kanesvaran Ravindran , Choueiri Toni K. 
Published: February 2017

396 Background: The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy is unclear in patients with synchronous metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the age of targeted therapy. Methods: Comparisons were made between patients treated with targeted therapy who had a CN versus not and adjusted using proportional hazards regression for known poor prognostic criteria (IMDC criteria Heng et al JCO 2009). Results: 2569/3245 (79%) mRCC patients received a nephrectomy. Patients who had nephrectomy before the diagnosis of metastatic disease were excluded (n=1634). Among the remaining patients, 935 patients had a CN and 676 patients did not have nephrectomy. All patients received targeted therapy with the majority receiving first-line sunitinib 72%, sorafenib 15%, temsirolimus 5%, bevacizumab 3%, pazopanib 3%. Patients who had CN had better IMDC prognostic profiles versus those without (favorable/intermediate/poor in 9%/63%/28% vs 1%/45%/54% p<0.0001). The median overall survival of patients with CN vs without was 20.6 vs 9.5 months (p<0.0001). When adjusted for IMDC criteria to correct for imbalances, the HR of death was 0.60 (95%CI 0.52-0.69, p<0.0001). The Table demonstrates the increasing benefit of CN if a given patient has a longer survival time. Conclusions: CN can be beneficial in patients with synchronous metastatic RCC even after adjustment for prognostic factors. Patients who are estimated to survive less than 9-12 months may have a marginal benefit compared to those with longer estimated survival. This may aid in patient selection as we await results from randomized controlled trials. [Table: see text]