Aktuelle Urol 2003; 34(4): 214-222
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41600
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Extensive Surgery in Metastatic Testicular Cancer

Operative Strategie bei metastasierendem HodenkrebsD.  Melchior1 , S.  C.  Müller1 , P.  Albers1
  • 1Department of Urology, Bonn University, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
25 August 2003 (online)

Abstract

Surgery remains an important component in the multimodal treatment of patients with advanced testicular cancer. Recently, however, the indications for post-chemotherapy residual tumor resection have changed. Patients with advanced seminoma very rarely need surgical resection of the residual disease after standard chemotherapy. In contrast, patients with high stage non-seminomatous testis cancer must undergo post-chemotherapy surgery in most cases. Surgical resection in metastatic disease may also be necessary in patients with recurrent tumors, patients with persisting marker elevation during chemotherapy and patients with late relapses. Post-chemotherapy residual tumor resections, “redo”-retroperitoneal tumor operations and other salvage resections are often technically demanding procedures with unusual surgical approaches that require individualized perioperative planning in order to reduce morbidity. This paper summarizes the current indications for post-chemotherapy surgery and discusses various surgical approaches and techniques, perioperative management recommendations, as well as complications of these extensive resection procedures.

References

  • 1 Einhorn L H. Testicular cancer as a model for a curable neoplasm. The Richard and Hinda Rosenthai Foundation Lecture.  Cancer Res. 1981;  41 3275-3280
  • 2 Toner G C, Panicek D M, Heelan R T, Geller N L, Lin S V, Bajorin D, Motzer R J, Scher H I, Herr H W, Morse M J. et al . Adjunctive surgery after chemotherapy for nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: recommendations for patient selection.  J Clin Oncol. 1990;  8 1683-1694
  • 3 Aass N, Klepp O, Cavallin-Stahl E, Dahl O, Wicklund H, Unsgaard B, Baldetorp L, Ahlstrom S, Fossa S D. Prognostic factors in unselected patients with nonseminomatous metastatic testicular cancer: a multicenter experience.  J Clin Oncol. 1991;  9 818-826
  • 4 Fossa S D, Qvist H, Stenwig A E, Lien H H, Ous S, Giercksky K E. Is postchemotherapy retroperitoneal surgery necessary in patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer and minimal residual tumor masses?.  J Clin Oncol. 1992;  10 569-573
  • 5 Debono D J, Heilman D K, Einhorn L H, Donohue J P. Decision analysis for avoiding postchemotherapy surgery in patients with disseminated nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.  J Clin Oncol. 1997;  15 1455-1464
  • 6 Logothetis C l, Samuels M L, Trindade A, Johnson D E. The growing teratoma syndrome.  Cancer. 1982;  50 1629-1635
  • 7 Donohue J P, Fox E P, Williams S D, Loehrer P J, Ulbright T M, Einhorn L H, Weathers T D. Persistent cancer in postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph-node dissection: outcome analysis.  World J Urol. 1994;  12 190-195
  • 8 Fizazi K, Tjulandin S, Salvioni R, Germa-Lluch J R, Bouzy J, Ragan D, Bokemeyer C, GerI A, Flechon A, de Bono J S, Stenning S, Horwich A, Pont J, Albers P, de Giorgi U, Bower M, Bulanov A, Pizzocaro G, Aparicio J, Nichols C R, Theodore C, Hartmann J T, Schmoll H J, Kaye S B, Culine S, Droz J P, Mahe C. Viable malignant cells after primary chemotherapy for disseminated nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: prognostic factors and role of postsurgery chemotherapy - results from an international study group.  J Clin Oncol. 2001;  19 2647-2657
  • 9 Steyerberg E W, Keizer H J, Fossa S D, Sleijfer D T, Toner G C, Schraffordt Koops H, Mulders P F, Messemer J E, Ney K, Donohue J P. et al . Prediction of residual retroperitoneal mass histology after chemotherapy for metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor: multivariate analysis of individual patient data from six study groups.  J Clin Oncol. 1995;  13 1177-172
  • 10 Albers P, Weinknecht S, Krege S, Kliesch S, Hartmann M, Heidenreich A, Walz P, Fimmers R. Prediction of necrosis after chemotherapy of advanced germ-cell tumors - Results of a prospective multicenter trial of the GTCSG.  J Urol. 2002;  Suppl 167 172
  • 11 Steyerberg E W, Keizer H J, Habbema J D. Prediction models for the histology of residual masses after chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer. ReHiT Study Group.  Int J Cancer. 1999;  83 856-859
  • 12 Albers P, Ganz A, Hannig E, Miersch W D, Muller S C. Salvage surgery of chemorefractory germ cell tumors with elevated tumor markers.  J Urol. 2000;  164 381-384
  • 13 Eastham J A, Wilson T G, Russell C, Ahlering T E, Skinner D G. Surgical resection in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumor who fail to normalize serum tumor markers after chemotherapy.  Urology. 1994;  43 74-80
  • 14 Murphy B R, Breeden E S, Donohue J P, Messemer J, Walsh W, Roth B J, Einhorn L H. Surgical salvage of chemorefractory germ cell tumors.  J Clin Oncol. 1993;  11 324-329
  • 15 Flechon A, Rivoire M, Biron P, Droz J P. Importance of surgery as salvage treatment after high dose chemotherapy failure in germ cell tumors.  J Urol. 2001;  165 1920-1926
  • 16 Ravi R, Ong J, Oliver R T, Badenoch D F, Fowler C G, Hendry W F. Surgery as salvage therapy in chemotherapy-resistant nonseminomatous germ cell tumours.  Br J Urol. 1998;  81 884-888
  • 17 Wood Jr D P, Herr H W, Motzer R J, Reuter V, Sogani P C, Morse M J, Bosl G J. Surgical resection of solitary metastases after chemotherapy in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors and elevated serum tumor markers.  Cancer. 1992;  70 2354-2357
  • 18 Nash P A, Leibovitch I, Foster R S, Bihrle R, Rowland R G, Donohue J P. En bloc nephrectomy in patients undergoing post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for nonseminomatous testis cancer: indications, implications and outcomes.  J Urol. 1998;  159 707-710
  • 19 Baniel J, Foster R S, Gonin R, Messemer J E, Donohue J P, Einhorn L H. Late relapse of testicular cancer.  J Clin Oncol. 1995;  13 1170-1176
  • 20 Gerl A, Clemm C, Schmeller N, Hentrich M, Lamerz R, Wilmanns W. Late relapse of germ cell tumors after cisplatin-based chemotherapy.  Ann Oncol. 1997;  8 41-47
  • 21 Herr H W, Sheinfeld J, Puc H S, Heelan R, Bajorin D F, Mencel P, Bosl G J, Motzer R J. Surgery for a post-chemotherapy residual mass in seminoma.  J Urol. 1997;  157 860-862
  • 22 Motzer R J, Bosl G J, GeIler N L, Penenberg D, Yagoda A, Golbey R, Whitmore Jr W F, Fair W R, Sogani P, Herr H. et al . Advanced seminoma: the role of chemotherapy and adjunctive surgery.  Ann Intern Med. 1988;  108 513-518
  • 23 Schultz S M, Einhorn L H, Conces Jr D J, Williams S D, Loehrer P J. Management of postchemotherapy residual mass in patients with advanced seminoma: Indiana University experience.  J Clin Oncol. 1989;  7 1497-1503
  • 24 Sheinfeld J, Herr H W. Role of surgery in management of germ cell tumor.  Semin Oncol. 1998;  25 203-209
  • 25 De Santis M, Bokemeyer C, Becherer A, Stoiber F, Oechsle K, Kletter K, Dohmen B M, Dittrich C, Pont J. Predictive impact of 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography for residual postchemotherapy masses in patients with bulky seminoma.  J Clin Oncol. 2001;  19 3740-3744
  • 26 Mosharafa A A, Foster R S, Leibovitch B C. Is the post chemotherapy resection of seminomatous elements associated with higher acute morbidity?.  J Urol Suppl. 2002;  167 172
  • 27 Steyerberg E W, Donohue J P, Gerl A, Toner G C, Schraffordt Koops H, Fossa S D, Keizer H J. Residual masses after chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer: The clinical implications of the association between retroperitoneal and pulmonary histology. Re-analysis of Histology in Testicular Cancer (ReHiT) Study Group.  J Urol. 1997;  158 474-478
  • 28 Gerl A, Clemm C, Schmeller N, Dienemann H, Weiss M, Kriegmair M, Lohrs U, Wilmanns W. Sequential resection of residual abdominal and thoracic masses after chemotherapy for metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell tumours.  Br J Cancer. 1994;  70 960-965
  • 29 Locatelli M C, Tedeschi L, Clerici M, RomaneIli A, D'Antona A, Labianca R, Luporini G. Cisplatin-associated anaemia in patients with solid tumours. A retrospective evaluation and considerations relative to erythropoietin administration.  Support Care Cancer. 1996;  4 218-219
  • 30 Albers P, Heicappell R, Schwaibold H, Wolff J. Erythropoietin in urologic oncology.  Eur Urol. 2001;  39 1-8
  • 31 Albers P. Retroperitoneale Residualtumorresektion nach Chemotherapie maligner Hodentumoren.  Aktuel Urol. 2001;  32 147-154
  • 32 Foster R S, Donohue J P, Albers P, Voges E. Retroperitoneale Lymphadenektomie (RPLA) - Nervenerhaltende Operationstechnik.  Aktuel Urol. 1993;  24 I-X
  • 33 Donohue J P. Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy: the anterior approach including bilateral suprarenal-hilar dissection.  Urol Clin North Am. 1977;  4 509-521
  • 34 Donohue J P, Rowland R G, Bihrle R G. Transabdominal retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. In: Skinner DG, Lieskovsky G (eds.), Diagnosis and Management of Genitourinary Cancer. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders 1988: 802-916
  • 35 Leibovitch I, Nash P A, Little Jr J S, Foster R S, Donohue J P. Spinal cord ischemia after post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for nonseminomatous germ cell cancer.  J Urol. 1996;  155 947-951
  • 36 Baniel J, Foster R S, Rowland R G, Bihrle R, Donohue J P. Complications of post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.  J Urol. 1995;  153 976-980
  • 37 Donohue J P, Thornhill J A, Foster R S, Bihrle R. Vascular considerations in postchemotherapy. Retroperitoneal lymph-node dissection: Part H.  World J Urol. 1994;  12 187-189
  • 38 Ahlering T E, Skinner D G. Vena caval resection in bulky metastatic germ cell tumors.  J Urol. 1989;  142 1497-1499
  • 39 Beck S D, Lalka S G. Long-term results after inferior vena caval resection during retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy for metastatic germ cell cancer.  J Vasc Surg. 1998;  28 808-814
  • 40 Christmas T J, Smith G L, Kooner R. Vascular interventions during post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph-node dissection for metastatic testis cancer.  Eur J Surg Oncol. 1998;  24 292-297
  • 41 Donohue J P, Thornhill J A, Foster R S, Bihrle R. Vascular considerations in postchemotherapy. Retroperitoneal lymph-node dissection: Part I - Vena cava.  World J Urol. 1994;  12 182-186
  • 42 Husband J E, Bellamy E A. Unusual thoracoabdominal sites of metastases in testicular tumors.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. l985;  145 1165-1171
  • 43 Mullen J C, Lemermeyer G, Tittley J, Ameli F M, Lossing A G, Jewett M A. Metastatic testicular tumor requiring inferior vena cava resection.  Urology. 1996;  47 263-265
  • 44 Spitz A, Wilson T G, Kawachi M H, Ahlering T E, Skinner D G. Vena caval resection for bulky metastatic germ cell tumors: an 18-year experience.  J Urol. 1997;  158 1813-1818
  • 45 Kelly R, Skinner D, Yellin A E, Weaver F A. En bloc aortic resection for bulky metastatic germ cell tumors.  J Urol. 1995;  156 1849-1851
  • 46 Christmas T J, Smith G L, Kooner R S. Wedge resection of pulmonary metastases from cancer of the testis or kidney using a vascular staple device.  Br J Urol. 1998;  81 911-912
  • 47 Goulet Jr R J, Hardacre J M, Einhorn L H, Loehrer P J, Jones J A, Donohue J P, Madura J A, Grosfeld J L. Hepatic resection for disseminated germ cell carcinoma.  Ann Surg. 1990;  212 290-293
  • 48 Donohue J P, Rowland R G. Complications of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.  J Urol. 1981;  125 338-340
  • 49 Skinner D G, Melamud A, Lieskovsky G. Complications of thoracoabdominal retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.  J Urol. 1982;  127 1107-1110
  • 50 Waid-Jones M I, Coursin D B. Perioperative considerations for patients treated with bleomycin.  Chest. 1991;  99 993-999
  • 51 Goldiner P L, Schweizer O. The hazards of anesthesia and surgery in bleomycin-treated patients.  Semin Oncol. 1979;  6 121-124
  • 52 Baniel J, Foster R S, Rowland R G, Bihrle R, Donohue J P. Management of chylous ascites after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer.  J Urol. 1993;  150 1422-1424

Prof. Dr. Peter Albers

Department of Urology · Klinikum Kassel

Mönchebergstr. 41 - 43

35125 Kassel

Phone: +49-561-980-4030

Fax: +49-561-980-6981

Email: albers@klinikum-kassel.de

    >