CISPLATIN-BASED CHEMOTHERAPY AFTER RETROPERITONEAL LYMPH-NODE DISSECTION IN PATIENTS WITH PATHOLOGICAL STAGE-II NONSEMINOMATOUS GERM-CELL TUMORS

In order to assess the results of cisplatin-based chemotherapy after p rimary lymph node dissection in patients with pathological stage II no nseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis, we retrospectively revie wed the longterm outcome of 44 patients who received adjuvant chemothe rapy at Institut Gustave Roussy over a 7-year period. Two chemotherapy regimens were sequentially delivered. Twenty-three patients were trea ted with vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, bleomycin, actinomycin D, and cisplatin (mVAB-6, four cycles), while 21 patients received a combinat ion of etoposide and cisplatin (EP, four cycles). After a median follo w-up of 6 years, all patients remain free from progression. The long-t erm toxicity included retrograde ejaculation in eight patients and sev ere ototoxicity in two patients. We conclude that four cycles of cispl atin-based chemotherapy for pathological stage II testicular cancer re sulted in a 100% cure rate with minimal toxicity. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.