Evaluation of Clinicopathologic Characteristics Influencing the Spontaneous Regression of Germ Cell Tumors

Summary: Spontaneous regression of a primary testicular germ cell tumor (GCT) is an uncommon phenomenon and refers to partial or complete disappearance of a GCT in the absence of treatment that commonly manifests as metastatic disease. Depending on the histologic type, tumor markers may be elevated. We evaluated a cohort of partially and completely regressed GCTs to assess factors influencing regression poorly understood at present time. This is the largest series of cases with regressed GCTs to date. GCNIS was more common in cases with partial regression compared to complete. Increasing age reduced the odds of complete regression. Post-therapy follow-up showed the majority of our subjects had no evidence of disease. Despite metastasis as initial presentation and higher stage, the cure rate is comparable to non-regressed GCTs.