Management of stage II seminoma: a contemporary UK perspective.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Testicular Germ Cell Tumours (TGCTs) are the commonest young adult male cancer, with excellent survival outcomes even with metastatic disease. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are international guideline-dictated standard of care (SOC) treatments for International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) "good risk" TGCT, but are associated with significant toxicities. Therapy de-escalation aims to reduce treatment morbidity whilst preserving cure rates, and has been adopted by some centres for stage IIA/B seminoma. Here, we report on the contemporary UK treatment landscape for stage IIA/B seminoma.

Methods

A questionnaire-based survey of NHS England-designated specialist cancer centres hosting supra-regional specialist multi-disciplinary team (sMDT) services (n = 13) as well those within NHS Scotland, NHS Wales and Health and Social Care Northern Ireland. Respondents were asked to order preferences of SOC and therapy de-escalation treatments for stage IIA/B seminoma.

Results

We identified significant geographical heterogeneity in treatment preferences. Whilst up to a third of centres have adopted a treatment de-escalation regimen, the majority deliver combination chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Conclusion

A wider recognition of UK treatment heterogeneity and consideration of therapy de-escalation strategies at supra-regional sMDTs will increase stage IIA/B seminoma treatment options as part of clinical trials with oncological and quality of life endpoints.

SUBMITTER: Alifrangis C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9379299 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature