Malignant germ cell tumour (GCT) in the mediastinum is a rare entity in routine clinical practice. Aim of the study was to assess long–term survival of primary mediastinal GCTs and the factors influencing the outcome of patients treated at Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Trivandrum.

Materials and methods

Patients registered at RCC, Trivandrum, during 2005–2010, were included (n=15). We retrieved the medical records of patients diagnosed with mediastinal GCT and were followed–up until September 2017. The median follow–up is 89.2 months.

Results

The mean age was 25 years (SD: 7.8 years). All were males. Marker response to treatment was observed in 11/12 patients who had elevated markers initially. After the planned course of chemotherapy, 8 patients were disease–free (clinically and radiologically) and the rest 6 patients had residual disease. Of the 6 patients, 4 underwent surgery and 2 had viable tumour after surgery. During the follow–up, one patient who was disease free, died of acute cardiac event, 3 relapsed. The 8–year overall survival was 66% (SE: 12.4%) and 8–year disease–free survival was 77% (SE: 12%).

Conclusion

Our institutional experience showed that platinum based chemotherapy regimens, surgery and efficient supportive management, the survival of GCTs could be improved in this modern era.