Search

The central nervous system (CNS) is an important area of involvement for both highgrade, aggressive primary and secondary lymphomas. Although follicular lymphoma represents a low-grade histology, it may rarely present with CNS involvement. Here, we describe a patient diagnosed with follicular lymphoma who was presented with cerebellar involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Even though the primary mediastinal extragonadal germ cell tumors (EGCTs) are rare, they are noteworthy in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses. In this study, we aimed to identify the clinical features of mediastinal malignant GCTs and compare the results of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation between mediastinal and nonmediastinal malignant EGCTs. Method: Data of the patients with EGCT who were treated and underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at our hospital between 1988 and 2015 were retrieved retrospectively. Results were compared between mediastinal and nonmediastinal EGCTs. Results: Data of 65 patients diagnosed with EGCT (37 [56.92%] cases with mediastinal EGCT and 28 [43.07%] cases with nonmediastinal EGCT) were assessed. The clinical stages, frequency of pretransplant status, mean pretransplant time, and mean number of chemotherapy lines before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were not significantly different between groups. Although the overall survival did not significantly differ between groups, the 5-year survival was significantly higher in mediastinal EGCTs (P=0.02). Yolk sac tumor was significantly more common in mediastinal EGCTs (P=0.05). Mortality rates were higher in seminomas and yolk sac tumors in all cases, higher in embryonal carcinomas in mediastinal EGCT group and higher in yolk sac tumors in nonmediastinal EGCT group. While choriocarcinomas had more aggressive courses in mediastinal EGCTs, seminomas and yolk sac tumors had poorer prognosis in nonmediastinal EGCTs. Short pretransplant time and persistence of elevated posttransplant βhCG and AFP levels were the significant mortality risk factors both in mediastinal and nonmediastinal EGCTs. Conclusion: Mediastinal placement of EGCT was not a poor prognostic factor; furthermore, the 5-year survival was significantly higher in mediastinal EGCTs. According to our knowledge, this is the first study that compares the clinical outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation of mediastinal and nonmediastinal malignant EGCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germ cell tumors are chemosensitive tumors, and patients with metastatic germ cell tumors can be cured even in the metastatic setting. There are limited treatment options for the patients who have refractory or recurrent disease after high dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell transplantation. We aimed to show real-life data on health outcomes in adult patients with recurrent or refractory germ cell tumor who received the gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and paclitaxel (GemPOx) combination regimen. We analyzed the data of 33 patients receiving GemPOx regimen after HDCT in our department between January 2016 and January 2020. Primary objectives were overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). The mean age of the study group was 31.5 ± 8.2 years. Of the 33 patients, 27 (81.8%) were men. The median OS and PFS were 16 months (95% CI: 7.33-24.7) and 10 months (95% CI: 5.1-14.9), respectively. The one-year OS and PFS were 65.7% and 40%, respectively. ORR was 42.4%. Toxicity was managable. Our study demonstrates acceptable safety and efficacy of GemPOx regimen for relapsed refractory patients with germ cell tumors. GemPOx remains one of the best determined systemic treatment options for progressive germ cell tumors patients after HDCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]