Modified Neck Dissection for Metastatic Nonseminomatous Testicular Carcinoma
- 1 August 1999
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in The Laryngoscope
- Vol. 109 (8), 1241-1244
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00005537-199908000-00011
Abstract
Objective: To examine the role of neck dissection in the treatment of metastatic stage 3 nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCTs) of testicular origin. Method: A retrospective review was made of 45 patients with metastatic NSGCT who underwent 48 unilateral and 3 bilateral neck dissections. Only level III-VI nodes were dissected, often with concomitant or staged mediastinal dissection, thoracotomy, and/or retroperitoneal node dissection. Occasionally, resection of the clavicle, jugular vein, or subclavian artery, or a combination of these, was required to eradicate the disease. Results: There were only four instances of recurrence in dissected necks. There was one case of dedifferentiation of mature teratoma to adenocarcinoma. Patients who were followed for a mean period of 32 months had a disease-free survival of 72%. Prognosis for patients with stage 3 disease but negative preoperative tumor markers (α-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin) was excellent, with 97% of these patients having no evidence of disease at follow-up. Factors having a negative impact on survival included positive tumor markers, elements of germ-cell cancer in excised nodes, and a neck mass that represents late relapse of disease. Conclusion: Modified neck dissection has a demonstrated role in the treatment of metastatic NSGCT. It prevents reversion of mature teratoma to malignant germ cell tumor with minimal morbidity. Aggressive resection of disease is indicated, often in conjunction with thoracic surgery, to eradicate disease extending into the chest. There is an excellent prognosis in patients with negative preoperative serologic tumor markers.Keywords
This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit:
- A single-centre observational study of surgery and late malignant events after chemotherapy for germ cell cancer.BJU International, 1997
- Thoracotomy for Postchemotherapy Resection of Pulmonary Residual Tumor Mass in Patients With Nonseminomatous Testicular Germ Cell TumorsSocial psychiatry. Sozialpsychiatrie. Psychiatrie sociale, 1997
- Simultaneous retroperitoneal, thoracic, and cervical resection of postchemotherapy residual masses in patients with metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis.Journal of Clinical Oncology, 1996
- Incidence and Management of Testicular Carcinoma Metastatic to the NeckJournal of Urology, 1996
- Serum Markers in Germ Cell NeoplasmsHematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 1991
- Salvage Therapy in Recurrent Germ Cell CancerHematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 1991
- Pathology of Testicular Germ Cell TumorsHematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 1991
- Testicular Germ-Cell Neoplasms: Curative ApproachesHematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 1988
- Serum Markers in Testicular Germ-Cell NeoplasmsHematology/Oncology Clinics of North America, 1988
- Modified Neck Dissection for Metastatic Testicular CarcinomaJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 1985