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

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.