CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL LONG-TERM TOXICITY AFTER POSTOPERATIVE CISPLATIN-BASED CHEMOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH LOW-STAGE TESTICULAR CANCER

In this case-control study the long-term chemotherapy-related morbidit y was assessed in testicular cancer patients (greater than or equal to 5 years after treatment). The case group consisted of 47 patients wit h nonseminomatous testicular cancer who had undergone retroperitoneal surgery and 3-4 cycles of conventional-dose cisplatin-based chemothera py (accumulated cisplatin dose: 300-400 mg/m(2)), also containing vinb lastine and bleomycin. The results of the clinical and biochemical inv estigations and the patients' responses to a questionnaire were compar ed to similar observations from a control group comprising 47 patients treated with surgery only. In the case group the serum magnesium valu es and the levels of FVIIvWF were significantly lower (but within the normal range) than in the control group. Serum cholesterol values were distributed similarly in both groups. About 40% of the patients from the chemotherapy group still suffered from Raynaud-like phenomena and/ or sensoric neurotoxicity as compared to 10% of the patients from the control group. Chemotherapy resulted in a significant elevation of ser um LH within the normal range, probably associated with a slight sucli nical Leydig cell dysfunction. Serum FSH levels were similar in the ca se and control groups, indicating an absence of long-term disturbance of spermatogenesis after chemotherapy. No increased cardiovascular mor bidity was observed as a result of chemotherapy. Raynaud-like phenomen a and sensoric neurotoxicity represent the principal clinical long-ter m side effects after 3-4 cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy contai ning vinblastine and bleomycin. Serum LH is slightly elevated after ch emotherapy, whereas long-term spermatogenesis seems to be unaffected.