Introduction
Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are formed by aberrant migration of primitive
germ cells arising in midline sites including brain, head/neck,
mediastinum, gonads, retroperitoneum, sacrococcygeal region and vagina.
GCTs are classified as gonadal and extragonadal germ cell tumors on the
basis of origin. Sacrococcygeal
GCT represents approximately 40% of primary extragonadal and
extracranial germ cell tumors (EGCTs) among
children[1]. Most pediatric tumors
stemming from the region are benign teratomas followed by malignant yolk
sac tumor (endodermal sinus tumor). Sacrococcygeal yolk sac tumors
(SYSTs) are generally characterized by external mass growing around the
sacrum and coccyx accompanied by elevation of AFP. A certain proportion
of patients still developed local relapse although they received a
first-line multidisciplinary treatment. Most of clinical explorations of
sacrococcygeal GCT were confined to few case reports. The prognostic
factors in relation with sacrococcygeal GCTs were poorly understood.
Here, we studied the relapse-free survival (RFS) rates, prognostic
factors, and therapeutic effect of salvage treatment in a retrospective
cohort of patients with SYST. Finally, we evaluated the combined
prognostic factors of clinical significance on RFS.