Evidence-based treatment for advanced germ cell tumor of the testis with a case illustration.
Testicular germ cell tumor is rare in the Asian population. Nevertheless, it is a prototypic cancer of young adults because it can be highly malignant but is also highly curable, even at an advanced stage. We present a case with far-advanced embryonal carcinoma, treated with bleomycin, etoposide and platinum (BEP) x 4 cycles. This case has shown very good results from the treatment. This is the standard therapy for poor- and intermediate-risk patients with germ cell tumors in the advanced stage, supported by current evidence-based literature. BEP x 3 cycles or EP x 4 cycles is the standard therapy for good-risk patients with advanced germ cell tumors. Using these treatments, we can achieve durable remissions of approximately 90%, 75%, and 45% in good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk patients, respectively. However, the physical and psychological long-term outcomes should be carefully monitored.
Lin
Chung-King
CK
Cathay General Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan, R.O.C. CKLinMD@gmail.com
Liu
Han-Ting
HT
D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D001761:Bleomycin; D005047:Etoposide; D002945:Cisplatin