Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy for disseminated germ cell tumors: long-term follow-up

• Published in: Journal of clinical oncology Vol. 6; no. 8; p. 1239
• Main Authors: Roth, B J, Greist, A, Kubilis, P S, Williams, S D, Einhorn, L H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-08-1988
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Bleomycin - administration & dosage; Cisplatin - administration & dosage; Cisplatin - therapeutic use; Combined Modality Therapy; Employment; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Mediastinal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Medical Records; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - drug therapy; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - radiotherapy; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal - secondary; Remission Induction; Retroperitoneal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Testicular Neoplasms - drug therapy; Vinblastine - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0732-183X
• DOI: 10.1200/jco.1988.6.8.1239

A retrospective analysis of the initial 229 cases of disseminated germ cell tumors treated at Indiana University with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin (PVB), with or without doxorubicin revealed 146 patients who are alive and disease-free with a minimum follow-up of 6 years and a median follow-up of 8.5 years. At 12 years, the estimated probability of survival is 65.0%, and the estimated probability of relapse-free survival for complete responders is 83.5%. Long-term complications, such as clinically significant organ toxicity or therapy-related second malignancies, have not been observed. The functional status of survivors is maintained, with 95% returning to their pretherapy status, of which 88% are fully employed. Of patients receiving chemotherapy without abdominal surgery, 35% have fathered healthy children posttherapy. Achievement of complete remission (CR) in disseminated germ cell tumors with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy translates to long-term disease-free survival and cure for the majority of patients, with preservation of functional status.