Should we reduce routine surveillance imaging in pediatric germ cell tumors?

This paper retrospectively investigated the site and the detection method of relapses in children and adolescents with malignant germ cell tumors enrolled in the TCGM-AIEOP-2004 Study and subsequently developed a relapse, in order to evaluate a possible reduction in radiological exposure during follow-up. Including all malignant cases, serum tumor markers identified a relapse in more than 70% and, according to the selection criteria published by Children Oncology Group in 2018, in more than 90% of cases. These results confirm the importance of serum tumor markers as a relapse detection method, with possible reduction of radiology exams in specific subgroups.

Automated summary

This study retrospectively investigated the site and detection method of relapses in children and adolescents with malignant germ cell tumors. It found that serum tumor markers identified a relapse in over 70% of cases, and according to the selection criteria published by Children Oncology Group in 2018, in over 90% of cases. These results highlight the importance of serum tumor markers as a relapse detection method, which could potentially reduce the need for radiology exams in specific subgroups.