Management of post-chemotherapy residual masses in advanced seminoma

We studied the resection of post-chemotherapy residual masses (20% to 80%) of advanced seminoma complicated by extensive fibrosis, in which active disease appears in 10% to 20% of cases.

We retrospectively analyzed (1986 to 2000) residual mass evolution according to size in 79 platinum treated patients.

There was an evaluable response in 78 patients, including toxic death in 1 after 1 chemotherapy cycle, a complete response in 34 (after chemotherapy in 15 and after complete residual mass resection in 19), a marker negative partial response in 42 (incomplete residual mass resection in 8), stable and progressive disease in 1 each. In 15 of 31 patients the resected residual mass was 3 cm. or greater, whereas in 12 of 29 it was less than 3 cm. No surgery was performed for 3 residual masses of unknown size. Of the 42 residual masses 21 disappeared at a median of 12.5 months. Progression occurred at the initial tumor site in 11 of 13 patients after a median of 3.5 months, including 3 with a complete response, 8 with a marker negative partial response (residual mass 3 cm. or greater in 3, less than 3 cm. in 4 and unknown size in 1) and treatment failure in 2 (residual mass 3 cm. or greater). At a median followup of 36.4 months 67 patients survived (no disease progression in 56 and nonevolving residual masses in 11), while 12 had died including 9 of progressive disease 1 of toxicity and 2 of other causes.

In our study there was incomplete surgical resection in 30% of cases. Relapse in 16.6% of cases occurred rapidly after the end of chemotherapy. Viable cells were only noted in residual masses 3 cm. or greater (13%) and 50% of residual masses disappeared during surveillance. We intend to perform a prospective cohort study with close followup of patients with residual masses less than 3 cm. using an indication for surgery tailored to positron emission tomography findings in those with residual masses 3 cm. or greater.