Evaluation og germ cell tumor patients

Evaluation of Germ Cell Tumor Patients Followed at Pediatric Oncology Department of Gazi Univercity Faculty of MedicineGerm cell tumors arise from primordial germ cells and account for approximately 3% of childhood malignancies. The aim of the study was to determine clinical data, evaluate treatment methods, determine survival rates and late sequelae of patients diagnosed with germ cell tumor at Department of Pediatric Oncology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine. The socio-demographic characteristics, tumor histopathology, localization, staging, imaging methods, treatment methods, recurrence properties, causes of death and survival rates of 48 patients diagnosed with germ cell tumors were retrospectively evaluated.The age distribution of patients at diagnosis was 0,2-210 months. Regarding the histologic findings, there were 11 mature teratoma, four immature teratoma, two mixed malignant germ cell tumor, two malignant teratoma, 19 yolk sac tumors, three embryonal carcinomas, six germinomas, and one choriocarcinoma. The site of the primary tumor was sacrococcygeal in 12, abdominal in three, retroperitoneal in five, ovarian in 14, testicular in 12, central nervous system in two cases. Seventeen cases showed metastasis. The most frequently seen metastasis sites was lungs and lymph nodes. All patients underwent surgical intervention. Total surgical excision was performed in 27 patients. After surgery, 28 cases were treated with chemotherapy with BEP or PVB protocols. Six patients received radiotherapy either for metastasis or primay site. Seven patients showed recurrence. Toxicity observed in five patients. Five-year overall survival and event free survival rates were 91.7% and 65,9%, respectively. In conclusion, Germ cell tumor characteristics and survival rates in our cases were consistent with findings in the literature.Key Words: germ cell tumor, clinical characteristics, survival rates