Tumores germinales gonadales en niños: Experiencia de 20 años en un centro de referencia pediátrico

Background. Germ cell tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms corresponding to 1-3% of pediatric tumors. They usually manifest clinically as testicular mass or abdominal pain. Objective. To make a description of gonadal germ cell tumor types in pediatric referral center in Colombia. Materials and methods. This article takes a retrospective review compiling 20 years of experience in diagnosis and management of these tumors in the Fundación Hospital de La Misericordia. Results. We found 79 patients, 35 men and 44 women, with an average age at diagnosis of 6 years. The teratoma was the most common neoplasia in females and endodermal sinus tumor in men. 70.9% of patients were diagnosed with stage I. In 84,8% measuring tumor markers were obtained. 98.7% were managed with surgery and 58.2% also received chemotherapy, especially BEP protocol. 96% achieved disease remission, 3 patients died. Conclusions. The study shows good results in the management of gonadal germ cell tumors with the established protocol and low recurrence rate in the evaluated period and high rates of children free of disease, were found a low rate of recurrence in the assessment period and high percentage of free of disease.