Five prognostic factors for predicting survival were identified and used to categorize patients with metastatic RCC into three risk groups, for which the median survival times were separated by 6 months or more. These risk categories can be used in clinical trial design and interpretation and in patient management. The low long-term survival rate emphasizes the priority of clinical investigation to identify more effective therapy.

A variety of nongerm cell histologies, including sarcoma, adenocarcinoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor and leukemia, may occur in association with germ cell tumor. Chromosomal abnormalities in these tumors include i (12p), reflecting germ cell tumor clonality, as well as chromosomal abnormalities associated with the transformed histology. These tumors do not respond like germ cell tumor to cisplatin-containing chemotherapy regimens. Treatment should be tailored according to that used in standard management of the transformed histology, and surgical resection is the mainstay of therapy.

Background Women treated with therapeutic chest radiation may develop breast cancer. Purpose Summarize breast cancer risk and breast cancer surveillance in women following chest radiation for a pediatric or young adult cancer. Data Sources Studies from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL (1966 through December 2008). Study Selection Articles selected to answer any of 3 questions: 1) What is the incidence and excess risk of breast cancer in women following chest radiation for a pediatric or young adult cancer? 2) For these women, are the clinical characteristics of the breast cancer and the outcomes following therapy different than for women with sporadic breast cancer in the general population? 3) What are the potential benefits and harms associated with breast cancer surveillance among women exposed to chest radiation? Data Extraction Three investigators independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Data Synthesis Standardized incidence ratios ranged from 13.3 to 55.5; cumulative incidence of breast cancer by 40–45 years of age ranged from 13–20%. Risk of breast cancer increased linearly with chest radiation dose. Available limited evidence suggests that the characteristics of the breast cancers in these women and the outcomes following diagnosis are similar to those in the general population; these breast cancers can be detected by mammography, though sensitivity is limited. Limitations Limitations include study heterogeneity, design and small sample size. Conclusions Women treated with chest radiation have a substantially elevated risk of breast cancer at a young age, which does not appear to plateau. Among this high risk population, there appears to be a benefit associated with early detection. Further research is required to better define the harms and benefits of lifelong surveillance.

An RT-PCR-based assay for PSA mRNA can detect circulating cells in the peripheral blood of patients with prostatic cancer. The frequency of positivity increases with tumor stage. A unique observation was the detection of cells in patients with no measurable PSA on hormonal therapy. This suggests that continued seeding of distant sites may still be occurring in these patients, despite seemingly successful therapy. The relationship between continued seeding, disease progression, and survival will require further study.

High-dose carboplatin, etoposide, and cyclophosphamide is an effective therapy for patients with refractory GCT, and results in a complete response proportion of 40% and a 2-year survival rate of 31% at a median follow-up time of 28 months. This was accomplished in a group of patients with a dismal prognosis to conventional-dose therapy.