Report of the long-term efficacy of two cycles of adjuvant bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatin in patients with stage I testicular nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCT): a risk adapted protocol of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group.
OBJECTIVE
Stage I testicular nonseminomatous germ-cell tumors (NSGCT) are highly curable. Following orchidectomy surveillance, adjuvant chemotherapy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection can be applied. Certain factors are used to select patients in high-risk for relapse. We report the outcome and safety of a risk-adapted strategy by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group.


METHODS
Between 1994 and 2004, 142 patients with stage I NSGCT and 1 of the following risk factors: lymphovascular invasion (LVI), invasion of tunica vaginalis, spermatic cord, rete testis or scrotal wall, embryonal component >50% of the total tumor, were prospectively included in a protocol of adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of two 3-week courses of bleomycin 15 IU, etoposide 120 mg/m(2), and cisplatin 40 mg/m(2) for 3 consecutive days with G-CSF support.


RESULTS
Median follow-up was 79 months and 138 patients have been followed for at least 2 years. Seventy-seven patients (54%) had LVI and 74 (52%) had >50% embryonal component. There was 1 relapse, which was cured with chemotherapy and surgery. Another patient died due to disease-unrelated causes and 1 patient developed a new primary of the remaining testicle, which was cured with surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Two cycles of bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatin is an effective and safe form of adjuvant therapy in high-risk stage I NSGCT.
Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. abamias@med.uoa.gr
Aristotelis
A
Bamias
Gerassimos
G
Aravantinos
Ioannis
I
Kastriotis
Gerassimos
G
Alivizatos
Ioannis
I
Anastasiou
Christos
C
Christodoulou
Reveka
R
Gyftaki
Haralambos P
HP
Kalofonos
Meletios A
MA
Dimopoulos
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult
D001761:Bleomycin; D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin