Tj. Christmas et al., PRIMARY RETROPERITONEAL GERM-CELL TUMORS - EXCISION VIA A THORACOABDOMINAL EXTRAPERITONEAL APPROACH, British Journal of Surgery, 84(7), 1997, pp. 1022-1025
Background Primary retroperitoneal germ cell tumours usually present a
s a large abdominal mass in young men. The testes are normal on examin
ation and ultrasonography but there are usually raised serum levels of
human chorionic gonadotrophin and/or alpha-fetoprotein. Methods Fourt
een men (median age 33 years) with primary retroperitoneal germ cell t
umours were treated by chemotherapy followed by surgical resection of
the primary tumour and metastases via a thoracoabdominal extraperitone
al approach. Results There was minimal morbidity. The survival rate wa
s 13 of 14 and the disease-free survival rate was 11 of 14 after a med
ian follow-up of 15 months. Conclusion The thoracoabdominal extraperit
oneal approach for the removal of retroperitoneal germ cell tumours an
d their metastases after chemotherapy improves tumour clearance, morbi
dity and recovery time compared with the transperitoneal anterior appr
oach.