Arterial thromboembolic events in testicular cancer patients: short- and long-term incidence, risk factors, and impact on mortality

Abstract

Background

Patients with testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) have a high cancer-specific survival rate.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the short- and long-term risk of arterial thromboembolic events (ATE), their impact on mortality, and risk factors for ATE in TGCT patients.

Methods

Patients with TGCT treated between 1994 and 2020 were included in a single-center retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was ATE (ie, acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke, and acute peripheral arterial occlusion). Cumulative incidences were obtained in competing risk analysis. The impact of ATE on mortality was analyzed in a multistate model. Cox regression was used to explore short- and long-term ATE risk factors.

Results

Overall, 1277 patients were included (median age, 35 years; seminoma: 56%; 44% cisplatin-based chemotherapy). Cumulative ATE incidences at 1, 10, and 25 years were 0.6% (95% CI, 0.3%-1.1%), 2.6% (95% CI, 1.8%-3.7%), and 12.0% (95% CI, 8.7%-15.9%), respectively. ATE diagnosis was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality (age-adjusted transition hazard ratio, 4.61; [95% CI, 2.40-8.85]; P < .001). Cisplatin-based chemotherapy was associated with ATE risk within 1 year after TGCT diagnosis (1.4% vs 0%, P < .001), whereas no differences were observed thereafter. Regarding long-term ATE risk, a point-based risk score was derived (age ≥ 35, smoking, and lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 250 IU/L), which efficiently stratified ATE risk (Harrel’s C, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.63-0.78]), with cumulative ATE incidences in low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients of 3.9%, 11.4%, and 22.7%, respectively.

Conclusion

ATE represents a common complication in TGCT survivors and is associated with increased mortality. A simple point-based score efficiently stratifies long-term ATE risk, whereas cisplatin-based chemotherapy increases short-term ATE risk.