J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2002 Jan;45(1):103-108.

Analysis of Treatment in Pediatric Germ Cell Tumor

• Kim YD
• Kim SH
• Kim KJ
• Im HJ
• Lee H

Abstract

PURPOSE: This report is an analysis of our experience with surgery, multi-agent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in pediatric germ cell tumors(GCTs).
METHODS
This report included all children(age <15 years) who were registered between November 1985 and May 2001 with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of GCTand received surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Retrospective analysis of the medical records of these patients was performed. In addition to the clinicopathological features, the response rate, survival rate, and toxicity were analyzed.
RESULTS
Among were a total of 19 patients, 6 had an ovarian tumor and 3 had a testicular tumor. Histologically immature teratoma was the most common type(11/19; 57.9%). Tumor markers were increased in 13/17(76.5%). Complete responses were observed in 17/19(89.5%) of the evaluable patients. Five year actuarial survival was 79.4% and event free survival was 84.2%. Median follow up was 46 months.
CONCLUSION
From the present report, it is apparent that chemotherapy is very effective and well tolerated in children with GCTs. The data probably suggests that conservative surgery, when combined with effective chemotherapy, can result in cure of the majority of children with GCTs.

Keyword

Germ cell tumor; Children

MeSH Terms

Child
Diagnosis
Disease-Free Survival
Drug Therapy
Follow-Up Studies
Germ Cells*
Humans
Medical Records
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal*
Radiotherapy
Retrospective Studies
Survival Rate
Teratoma
Biomarkers, Tumor