Management of post-chemotherapy extra-retroperitoneal residual masses.
BACKGROUND
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men age 20-35 years and accounts for approximately 1% of all male malignancies. While the retroperitoneum is often the first and only site of metastatic disease, approximately 40% of patients presenting with metastatic disease will have disease involving extra-retroperitoneal sites.


METHODS
A medline review was conducted to evaluate peer-reviewed articles reporting on the outcome of patients with germ cell tumors and extra-retroperitoneal metastases.


RESULTS
Following chemotherapy, approximately 70% of patients will have residual masses in the retroperitoneum and several series demonstrate that approximately 50% of patients will harbor teratoma or viable GCT in the retroperitoneum. Additionally, up to 35% of patients will have radiographic evidence of extra-retroperitoneal (ERP) masses after chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
In this manuscript, we will review the current role of surgery for patients with post-chemotherapy residual ERP metastases.
Carver
Brett S
BS
Department of Surgery, Urology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. carverb@mskcc.org
Sheinfeld
Joel
J
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D013724:Teratoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
D001761:Bleomycin; D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin