SACROCOCCYGEAL TERATOMA

Pediatr Surg Int. 2009 Jan 28. [Epub ahead of print]

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Long-term outcomes of surgery for malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma: 20-year experience of a regional UK centre.

Khalil BA, Aziz A, Kapur P, Humphrey G, Morabito A, Bruce J.

Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, Hospital Road, Manchester, M27 4HA, UK, Kba_bas@hotmail.co.uk.

BACKGROUND: The timing of surgery for malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma is controversial. The long-term outcomes and complications of surgery for this rare tumour are presented. METHODS: All cases of malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma in the 20-year period 1987-2006 were identified and the case notes retrieved. The age at diagnosis, investigations, presentation, type of surgery, early complications, recurrence rates, long-term complications and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Twelve patients (three males, nine females) were identified. Mean age at presentation was 20.8 months (range: 12-39 months). All had the Carboplatin-Etoposide-Bleomycin chemotherapeutic protocol. The average time of follow-up was 10.6 years (range: 1-17 years). Ten patients had excision of their tumours following chemotherapy, whilst two patients had excision prior to chemotherapy. Two patients had recurrence of their tumours. There was one death (8%), which was due to disseminated metastasis. The other 11 children were all well at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgery for malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma is safe and has a low complication rate. The long-term outcomes are favourable with minimal side effects.