title: Bilateral testicular germ cell tumours: a single hospital experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) is increasing and the improvement in survival may lead to an increased incidence of bilateral tumours. We examined the incidence, prognosis, clinical and histological characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with bilateral TGCTs based on 15 years of experience from a single institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the charts from all patients treated for a testicular tumour germ cell at Hospital Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. The information was retrospectively obtained from the patients' hospital. All the patients were evaluated with clinical history, physical exam, serum markers (alphaFP, LDH and betahCG), ultrasonographic evaluation of the testicles, computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, surgery, location and histology of first and second tumour, treatment after the surgery and follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 151 patients with TGCT, 8 (5.3%) developed bilateral tumours, seven (4.6%) were metachronous and one (0.7%) synchronous tumours. Two patients underwent testis-sparing surgery for the second tumour. All the patients are alive without evidence of disease based on physical exam, tumour markers and CT scan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survival in patients with bilateral testicular germ cell tumours (BTGCT) is similar to that of patients with unilateral TGCT. There is no standard therapy to treat BTGCT and each patient requires a tailored therapeutic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. rafael.morales.barrera@gmail.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morales-Barrera
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valverde
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodón
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trilla
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
references.citation: J Urol. 2001 Dec;166(6):2161-5
references.pmid: 11696727
references.citation: Eur Urol. 2008 Mar;53(3):497-513
references.pmid: 18191015
references.citation: Cancer. 2002 Sep 15;95(6):1228-33
references.pmid: 12216089
references.citation: Br J Urol. 1997 Feb;79(2):253-7
references.pmid: 9052478
references.citation: Cancer. 1990 Jan 1;65(1):1-4
references.pmid: 2293856
references.citation: Int J Urol. 2002 Mar;9(3):173-7
references.pmid: 12010330
references.citation: J Natl Cancer Inst. 1991 Oct 2;83(19):1391-5
references.pmid: 1656057
references.citation: Acta Oncol. 2005;44(6):529-36
references.pmid: 16165911
references.citation: Cancer. 2003 Jan 1;97(1):63-70
references.pmid: 12491506
references.citation: J Clin Oncol. 1996 Jul;14(7):2061-5
references.pmid: 8683237
references.citation: J Urol. 2007 Jul;178(1):129-33; discussion 133
references.pmid: 17499297
references.citation: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2003 May;129(5):309-15
references.pmid: 12748851
references.citation: J Urol. 2003 Jun;169(6):2122-5
references.pmid: 12771732
references.citation: Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 2008 Jan;47(1):34-42
references.pmid: 17943970
references.citation: Urology. 1999 Oct;54(4):714-8
references.pmid: 10510934
references.citation: BJU Int. 2000 May;85(7):864-8
references.pmid: 10792167
references.citation: Int J Urol. 2008 Sep;15(9):821-6
references.pmid: 18657202
references.citation: APMIS. 2003 Jan;111(1):70-4; discussion 75
references.pmid: 12752238
references.citation: Am J Epidemiol. 1999 Jul 1;150(1):45-6
references.pmid: 10400552
references.citation: Cancer. 1998 Aug 1;83(3):547-52
references.pmid: 9690548
references.citation: J Natl Cancer Inst. 1995 Feb 1;87(3):175-82
references.pmid: 7707404
references.citation: Cancer Res. 2003 Nov 15;63(22):7674-8
references.pmid: 14633689
references.citation: Cancer. 1986 Mar 15;57(6):1254-8
references.pmid: 3002601