UK mature and immature teratoma outcome data

[Una Smith]

There is a new research article from the UK Children's Cancer
Study Group, "Mature and immature extracranial teratomas in
children." According to the abstract, it reports on 351
children, 227 with mature teratoma (MT), 124 with immature
teratoma (IT). I presume IT here means pure IT, excluding IT
mixed with endodermal sinus tumor. Surgical resection was
incomplete in 26% of MT and 40% of IT patients; 5-year event-
free survival was 92.2% and 85.9%, respectively, and 5-year
overall survival was 99% and 95.1%.

Here "event" means recurrence with endodermal sinus tumor,
or with MT or IT. Endodermal sinus tumor was treated with
chemotherapy, which was effective. Recurrent MT and IT
were treated with surgery or chemotherapy; chemotherapy
was not effective.

I know how tempting it is to stop watching when everything
seems okay, but stick with it. Keep getting those MRI scans
and AFP tests!

Una