Salvage chemotherapy in relapsed germ cell tumors

Abstract

Issues concerning the optimal salvage treatment in patients with germ cell tumors are for the most part controversial. As the majority of patients will suffer systemic relapses, chemotherapy will remain the mainstay of any salvage treatment. However, the question of whether to use conventional-dose or high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) immediately arises. Prognostic factors have recently been recognized as an aid in this decision. However, as reliable data are lacking for many clinical scenarios, the salvage treatment of germ-cell tumors continues to be a therapeutic challenge.