Late relapse of metastatic non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumours

Clin Radiol. 2006 Nov;61(11):907-15. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2006.06.009.

Abstract

Although the majority of men presenting with non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCT) are cured, late relapse (occurring more than 2 years after obtaining a complete response to treatment) is increasingly recognized. The typical patterns of disease spread have been well-documented, but the findings at late relapse are more variable and less well-described. We discuss the phenomenon of late relapse, the characteristics of teratoma differentiated (TD), and the issue of long-term imaging surveillance of patients with NSGCT. The potential sites of late relapse of NSGCT and the associated spectrum of imaging appearances are illustrated.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neoplasm, Residual / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Testicular Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed