TREATMENT OF NONMETASTATIC, NONSEMINOMATOUS MALIGNANT GERM-CELL TUMORS IN CHILDHOOD - EXPERIENCE OF THE SOCIETE-FRANCAISE-DONCOLOGIE-PEDIATRIQUE MGCT 1985-1989 STUDY

The members of the French Society of Pediatric Oncology treated, between january 1985 and June 1989, 67 cases of non-metastatic, non-seminomatous malignant germ cell tumours (nSGCT) in sites other than the brain. They used a clinical pre- and post-surgical TNM-type classification in order to standardize the treatment regardless of tumour site. The intensity of the treatment was decreased in comparison with the previous regimen (elimination of adriamycin, reduction in the length of treatment). The actuarial 2-year disease-free survival rate is 80%; results are excellent for patients with clinical stage I and II tumours and permit cure with moderate chemotherapy, avoiding undesirable late effects. On the other hand it is inadequate for patients with stage III suggesting that the initial chemotherapy should be intensified for these latter patients in future protocols. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.