title: The treatment of advanced metastatic seminoma: experience in 55 cases.
abstract: Thirty-six of 39 previously untreated evaluable patients with advanced metastatic seminoma (stage greater than or equal to IIb) obtained a complete response (CR) and three a partial response (PR) after cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy with or without surgery/radiotherapy (group 1). After a median observation time of 36 months, 33 patients are alive with no evidence of disease (NED). Fifteen additional patients received cisplatin-based chemotherapy due to relapsing seminoma after initial radiotherapy (group 2). Thirteen patients obtained a CR, and two a PR. Patients from group 1 lived significantly longer after the start of chemotherapy than those from group 2. The rate and severity of the treatment-related complications were comparable in both groups. The most frequent nonfatal side effects of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy were Raynaud-like phenomena, polyneuropathy, and myelosuppression. Four patients developed fatal complications (septicemia, bone marrow aplasia). In three of 12 patients with evaluable postchemotherapy histology, vital malignant seminoma was found. Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy in advanced seminoma patients is highly effective, but includes a significant risk of severe complications. Less toxic treatment regimens should be explored, at least for patients who have less advanced tumors (stage IIb/limited stage IIc).
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D001761:Bleomycin; D014747:Vinblastine; D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin