Clinical characteristics and risk factors analysis for the recurrence of pelvic endodermal sinus tumors

This study investigated the clinicopathological characteristics and factors influencing the recurrence of pelvic endodermal sinus tumor (PEST). 54 cases were retrospectively analyzed from at the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. Progression-free survival (PFS) and related factors on disease recurrence were evaluated. Six patients had extragonadal endodermal sinus tumor, and four had histological features of endodermal sinus tumor (EST) combined with embryonal carcinoma (EC). 39 patients underwent fertility-preserving surgery, 18 patients had a childbearing history, and eight patients had residual tumor after initial treatment as surgery or chemotherapy. 26 patients had a tumor diameter of more than 15 cm, and 30 patients had a serum αfetoprotein (AFP) level greater than 10,000 ng/mL before initial management. The median follow-up was 47.5 months (range, 14–212 months). During follow-up, 15 patients experience recurrence, with a recurrence rate of 27.8% and a 5-year PFS rate of 61.1%. In univariate analysis, the FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage (stage III–IV vs. I–II; hazard ratio (HR) = 9.73, p < 0.001), residual tumor (yes vs. no for the first surgery; HR = 4.86, p = 0.001), histological features (EST combined with EC vs. EST; HR = 4.08, p = 0.017), and use of platinum-based chemotherapy (courses ≥3 vs. courses <3; HR = 0.19, p = 0.004) were independent factors influencing recurrence. In multivariate analysis, only stage was an independent risk factor for PFS (stage III–IV vs. I–II; HR = 6.92, p = 0.02). Stage is a prognostic factor for recurrence of PEST. The aim of the initial surgery is to maximally debulk all grossly visible tumor and the post-operative treatment should include a sufficient dose and full course of platinum-based chemotherapy, which may reduce the recurrence rate. Maybe some gene expression that could be associate with PEST.

Pelvic endodermal sinus tumor; Yolk sac tumor; Embryonal carcinoma; FIGO stage; Residual tumor; Platinum-based chemotherapy

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