Clinical profile, treatment and survival outcomes of peadiatric germ cell tumours: A Pakistani perspective.
Germ Cell Tumours (GCTs) are rare tumours. Generally 80% are benign and 20% malignant with a bimodal age distribution. The retrospective study was conducted at Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised all paediatric patients below 18 years of age who received treatment for histology proven GCT from 2006 to 2014. Of the 207 patients, 98(42.3% were males and 109(52.7% were females. The most common GCT was yolk sac tumour in 90(43.5% children followed by mixed GCT in 40(19.3% and dysgerminoma in 34(16.4% Gonads were most commonly involved in 165(79.7% patients with metastasis in 24(11.6% at presentation and recurrence in 26(12.5% patients. Overall, 133(64.3% patients are well and followed up at regular intervals and 55(26.5% have been lost to follow up with an expected overall 5 year median survival of 45% Despite the distinct clinical profile of paediatric GCT, survival can be improved by early diagnosis, regimented treatment according to set guidelines, protocols and by improving follow up.
JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association