Combined approach (chemotherapy plus surgery) in advanced testis tumours

Abstract

Eight consecutive patients with stage III or bulky stage II germ cell tumors were treated with 4 cycles of cisplatin, etoposide and bleomycin combination chemotherapy (PEB). 3 patients were in complete remission (CR) after surgery of residual masses. 5 patients received 2–4 additional courses of P.V.I. (cisplatin, vinblastine and iphosphamide) chemotherapy and had complete remission (3 cases after surgery of residual masses). No residual tumor was found in 2 cases at surgery (25%). In the present series 3 patients had extrapulmonary disease, 2 retroperitoneal lymphnodes larger than 10 cm. and pulmonary disease. 1 patient had previous incomplete RPND. After a median follow-up period of 30 months (15–37) all the patients are disease-free with normal levels of AFP and beta HCG. In conclusion we repeat that intensive combination chemotherapy is the key for successful surgery of residual malignancy in patients with disseminated testicular cancer. Second-line of chemotherapy is more favourable than early surgery, in our opinion, for treatment of far-advanced disease.