TESTICULAR TUMORS IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION: SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE

TESTICULAR TUMORS IN PEDIATRIC POPULATION: SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE (Abstract): Our study aims to provide valuable contributions to the understanding and management of this rare condition, with a particular focus on our single-center experience and analysis of cases in light of limited worldwide reports. Materials and methods: This study analyzed 18 patients between 2003 and 2023. We categorized patients into two age groups: prepubertal (ages 0-11 yrs.) and postpubertal (ages 12- 18 yrs.), based on the typical onset of puberty in males, in order to compare distinct tumor characteristics. We assessed clinical data, staging imaging, pre-operative serum tumor marker values, surgical approaches, chemotherapy protocols, and clinical outcomes. Results: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of the different types of clinical presentations between groups. The overall survival (OS) rate was 94.4%, while the progression free survival (PFS) was 77.8%. The postpubertal age group had a significantly lower PFS period compared to patients in the prepubertal age group. Conclusions: This research highlights the importance of precisely performing physical, imaging, and biological tests for the early detection of testicular cancer. It emphasizes the significance of ongoing research and collaborative efforts to enhance testicular cancer management.