title: [Malignant germ cell tumours. Multicenter prospective trial in Polish Pediatric Group for Solid Tumours (years 1998-2000)].
abstract: Germ cell tumors constitute about 3% of all pediatric malignancies. Since 1998 the multicenter trial was initiated in Poland.
  
  
  METHODS
  95 children (aged from 1 month to 17 years--mean 9.2 years) were registered. There were 38 boys and 57 girls. Diagnosis was made on histopathological examination in 88% patients (pts) and in 12% was established on imaging and biochemical findings (elevated AFP). Mixed germ cell tumor and yolk sac tumor prevelaged. AFP was elevated in 72% pts; in 26% it was over 15.000. Primary tumor was localized in gonads (59%) and in sacrococcygeal region (30%). Following disease stages were identified: I and II--41% pts, III--34%, IV--25%. All patients were treated according to French TGM'95 protocol. 43 belonged to high risk and 52 to standard risk group. 77 children completed therapy, 15 continue treatment and 3 were lost from follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among children who were off therapy, 70 (91%) are alive in a complete remission (second remission in 3 cases). Survival in high risk group is 89%, while in standard risk group is 93%. Median time of follow-up is 31 months from the beginning of treatment and 25 months after completion of therapy. 7 children died; all had progressive disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcome of malignant germ cell tumors treatment in Poland is favourable and comparable to results showed by other study groups in the world.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Pediatrii, Gastroenterologii i Onkologii Dzieciecej Akademii Medycznej w Gdańsku.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Popadiuk
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korzon
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szumera
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chybicka
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szmyd
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dzierzega
authors.forename: Jerzy R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wiśniewska-Slusarz
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trelińska
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wozniak
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bilska
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wysocki
authors.forename: Maryna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krawczuk-Rybak
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lopatka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018240:Endodermal Sinus Tumor / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011044:Poland; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins