Can a cure be achieved with taxane-based chemotherapy plus surgery in patients with primary mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumors and progression or relapse despite first-line chemotherapy?
Primary mediastinal non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSCGTs) have a poor prognosis in the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) classification. There is no clear standard of treatment at relapse. Between 1995 and 2005, 13 patients experienced progression or relapse, and 1 patient was cured with a taxane-based chemotherapy plus surgical resection at our institution.