Survival and Recurrence After Post-chemotherapy Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection in Non-seminomatous Germ Cell...

Non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs) are the predominant solid malignancy affecting young males globally. This study evaluates the 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) outcomes following post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (PC-RPLND) in NSGCT patients at a tertiary center. A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2015 to January 2024, including NSGCT patients who underwent PC-RPLND. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, operative details, and histopathological findings were analyzed. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Among 46 patients included, the majority had mixed non-seminomatous GCTs (84.8%). The 5-year OS rates were 100%, 93.3%, and 86.2% for good, intermediate, and poor-risk groups. The 5-year RFS rates were 100%, 92.3%, and 73.3% for the same groups. Pathological examination revealed teratoma (54.3%), viable tumors (15.2%), and necrosis (30.4%) in the resected specimens. The recurrence rates were high in the poor-risk group (23.5%), as compared to good-risk (0%) and intermediate-risk patients (6.7%) (p = 0.054). Our findings demonstrate excellent outcomes in 5-year OS and RFS rates, reflecting advancements in treatment strategies for non-seminomatous GCTs. A multi-disciplinary approach is essential for providing optimum treatment for such patients.