Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Stage AI-IIA Germ Cell Tumors

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of sentinel lymph node biopsy in stage AI-IIA germ cell tumors (seminoma/nonseminoma). The main questions it aims to answer are: * To evaluate relapse-free survival during the first two years after SLNB. * To estimate the percentage of patients who did not require adjuvant treatment after primary endoscopic SLNB. * Determine the microRNA expression profile in blood plasma, evaluate miRNAs as a potential prognostic and predictive factor in patients with testicular germ cell tumors. * Assess the correlation between computed tomography and positive lymph nodes on examination. Participants will undergo: * surgical treatment including orchofuniculectomy with simultaneous laparoscopic biopsy of the sentinel lymph node using indocyanine green dye with/without methylene blue dye. * 24 hours before the procedure, a radiopharmaceutical (RP) is injected into the spermatic cord, followed by SPECT to determine the regional sentinel lymph node(s). * The level of microRNA will be examined before surgery and 10 days after surgery.

Research Design This study is a prospective, single-center, non-randomized study evaluating the role of primary endoscopic SLNB on progression-free survival in patients with stage I-II germ cell seminoma/non-seminoma tumor without adjuvant treatment. Additionally, the study will determine the prognostic value of miRNAs as a noninvasive marker in clinical practice. This study plans to recruit 44 male patients with a preliminary diagnosis of testicular tumor. Patients who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria will undergo surgical treatment including orchofuniculectomy with a simultaneous assessment and biopsy of the sentinel retroperitoneal lymph node. The first stage of treatment Pre-operative preparation At the preoperative stage, it is planned to perform 3D modeling of computed tomography slices to visualize tumor conglomerates and vascular topography. A map of lymph node dissection zones will also be compiled. The anatomical boundaries of lymph node dissection are the aorta, the inferior vena cava, the iliac vessels, their bifurcation zones, the renal and mesenteric vessels. Due to the distribution of lymph nodes into cohorts (from 1 to 9 in each case), further histological examination of the surgical material will assess the completeness of the performed lymph node dissection. Radiopharmaceutical administration (Technetium/methylene blue) 24 hours before surgery, a radiotracer (RP) will be injected into the spermatic cord followed by SPECT to identify the regional sentinel lymph node(s). Orchofuniculectomy Study participants will undergo orchofuniculectomy through an inguinal or laparoscopic approach. After completion of the orchofuniculectomy, indocyanine green (ICG) dye with or without methylene blue dye will be injected into the spermatic cord stump. Second stage of treatment Laparoscopic access and port placement Under general anesthesia, with the patient in the supine position with arms extended along the body and legs spread apart, after processing the surgical field, laparoscopic ports will be installed under sterile conditions as follows: * In the pubic region, 1 cm below the navel, an optical trocar is installed according to the Hasson technique (pneumoperitoneum (P=14 mmHg). * Installation of trocars in the right iliac region, in the left iliac region and above the pubic symphysis (5, 5 and 11 mm, respectively). The patient is then placed in the Trendelenburg position. BSLU Next, in the operating room, the surgeon will use a gamma detector to determine the location of the sentinel lymph nodes, followed by removal of one or more (up to 4) lymph nodes from which the signal is received. These lymph nodes will be sent for histological examination. The results of the work performed will present indicators of relapse-free survival after SLNB, as well as functional outcomes, such as postoperative complications, duration of hospital treatment, frequency of retrograde ejaculation in patients with stage IA-IIA testicular germ cell tumor. The data obtained will allow optimizing the selection of patients for surgical treatment, as well as identifying prognostic factors for the adjuvant stage of therapy. Additionally, as part of the work, it is planned to study the expression profile of microRNAs in blood plasma, with subsequent assessment as a potential prognostic and predictive factor in patients with germ cell tumors. For this purpose, blood will be drawn from patients before surgery and 10 days after surgery.