title: The long-term outcome of patients diagnosed with sacrococcygeal teratoma in childhood. A study of a national cohort.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The improved survival of sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) has led to increased awareness of its long-term sequelae. Our aim was to assess the long-term outcome of a national cohort using detailed questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  The three paediatric surgery centres in Scotland were contacted to identify all SCT patients ≥5 years of age. Case notes were reviewed. Detailed separate questionnaires were used to assess long-term bowel, urinary and obstetric outcomes and were completed during an arranged interview. Groups were statistically compared using Z-tests or Fisher's exact test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 48 patients were identified but only 31 were available for follow-up. Age ranged from 5-35 years (median 12 years and 8 months). There were 25 (81%) females and 5 (16%) patients had malignant disease. Abnormal bowel function was noted in 42% of patients, with constipation being the commonest complaint (39%) with no obvious predictive features at presentation. Urinary symptoms were reported in 55% of the patients. A total of nine (29%) patients suffered from urgency and/or wetting. Confirmed urinary tract infections (UTIs) were reported by nine patients. Successful pregnancies were reported by two females and neither of their children had SCT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is one of the largest national studies assessing the long-term outcome of patients with SCT. It highlights the significant gastrointestinal and urological long-term morbidities of SCT patients, which is useful for counselling families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Glasgow, Glasgow, UK Department of Paediatric Surgery, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed Sameh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shalaby
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Toole
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carachi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region / Q000473:pathology*; D012606:Scotland; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013724:Teratoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Gastroenterology; Oncology; Outcomes research; Paediatric Surgery