title: Chemotherapy immediately after surgery for patients with germ cell tumors.
abstract: Six patients underwent surgery while receiving active chemotherapy for metastatic germ cell tumors. Surgical procedures included cholecystectomy, thoracotomy with tumor resection, and orchiectomy. Aggressive chemotherapy was reinitiated immediately after the surgery (average, 4.3 days; range, 3-6 days). Myelosuppression with nadir of granulocytes 80/dL (median) developed at day 13 (average). There were no immediate adverse effects of chemotherapy on wound healing, and all treatment courses were uneventful. We conclude that aggressive chemotherapy can safely be delivered to patients with germ cell tumors immediately after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sella
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Logothetis
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Dexeus
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amato
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D009919:Orchiectomy; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects