Background
We aimed to evaluate the survival analysis, response rates and factors affecting response to high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (OSCT) in patients with relapsed/refractory extragonadal germ cell tumours.
Methods
The study included patients diagnosed with extragonadal germ cell tumors who underwent HDCT + ASCT between November 2016 and January 2023 at Gülhane Training and Research Hospital. Clinical characteristics and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed from patient records and the hospital electronic system. Patients under 18 years of age and those without medical records were excluded. Patient characteristics, post-HDCT progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) data, factors affecting survival, and treatment-related mortality (TRM) were examined. The relationship between clinical factors and OS/PFS was analyzed.
Results
Twenty-five patients were included. After HDCT + ASCT, complete response (CR) was observed in 6 patients (24%), partial response (PR) in 15 patients (60%) and progressive disease (PD) in 4 patients (16%). TRM was observed in 1 (4%) patient. Median follow-up was 25.4 months. Median PFS and OS after HDCT + ASCT were calculated to be 4.9 months and 12.2 months, respectively.
Conclusions
Salvage HDCT + ASCT is an option in the treatment of extragonadal germ cell tumours, offering the potential for prolonged survival and cure.