Treating stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumours with a single cycle of chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the rate of relapse in men with stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCT) of the testis treated with one cycle of chemotherapy instead of the usual two cycles.


METHODS
Between 1992 and 1996, 22 men with stage I NSGCT who had normalized tumour markers after orchidectomy and negative findings on computed tomography, and who were at moderate risk of relapse, were treated with one cycle of platinum-containing chemotherapy (bleomycin and etoposide with either cisplatin or carboplatin).


RESULTS
At a median follow-up of 10.2 years, none of the patients have relapsed with malignant GCTs.


CONCLUSIONS
The results after one cycle of chemotherapy are no worse than after two cycles. The present study needs to be replicated in a larger cohort of patients to define the relapse risk more accurately. This approach is soon to be tested in a large multicentre trial randomizing patients between one and two cycles.
Gilbert
Duncan C
DC
Academic Unit of Radiotherapy & Oncology, Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
Norman
Andrew R
AR
Nicholl
Judith
J
Dearnaley
David P
DP
Horwich
Alan
A
Huddart
Robert A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001761:Bleomycin; D005047:Etoposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin