Male germ cell tumors (GCT) have excellent survival. Long-term sequelae in cancer survivors are an evolving field. We evaluated the risk of patients with GCT to develop primary hypogonadism and adherence to guideline-recommended therapy in a real-world cohort. Monocentric study at a tertiary cancer centre to evaluate treated GCT-patients (2001-2019). Post therapeutic male endocrine function, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 and The aging males' symptoms rating scale (AMS) questionnaires were assessed. The overall response rates were low, with 44 of 402 contacted patients participating in the study. From these, 32(73%) underwent blood analysis, 42(95%) answered the IIEF-5 and 43(98%) the AMS. Latent hypogonadism (serum testosterone 8-12 nmol/l) was found in n = 9 (28%) and manifest hypogonadism (testosterone < 8 nmol/l) in n = 8 (25%). 50% (n = 21) indicated erectile dysfunction on IIEF-5 (cut off ≤ 21 pts.) and 62.8% (n = 27) reported symptomatic affection on AMS (cut off ≥ 27 pts.). Majority of tested patients revealed different degrees of hypogonadism. Standard instruments were able to detect gonadal damage in > 50%, which underscored the clinical need to evaluate endocrine function in cancer survivors. We further indicated the difficulties of today's research and provided starting points to assess barriers for study participations.
Scientific reports. 2024 Nov 15*** epublish ***
Analena Handke, Marla Geller-von Bargen, Aykhan Isgandarov, Mulham Al Nader, Ulrich Krafft, Christopher Darr, Boris Hadaschik, Viktor Grünwald, Lukas Püllen
Department of Urology, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany. ., Department of Urology, University of Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)-University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany., Clinic for Medical Oncology and Department of Urology, West-German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.