[Chemotherapy of malignant testicular germ cell tumors: current state in children and adults]

Abstract

Reviewing the literature, it can be conducted that malignant testicular tumors are rare in childhood and can be cured in 80% of cases by orchiectomy alone. Disseminated testicular tumors in children were treated by different combinations of cancer chemotherapy, and in 10 of 24 cases remissions were achieved. Therapeutic recommendations do not exist for childhood. In adults longterm remissions can be attained in the majority of patients with disseminated testicular teratomas by vinblastine and bleomycin alone respectively with additional cisplatinum. Further drugs did not augment the rate of complete or long-term remissions. Combination of vinblastine and bleomycin requires high dosage and a 5 day course of bleomycin. By adding cisplatinum, vinblastine in high dosage (over 0.4 mg/kg) and bleomycin as continuous infusion are no longer necessary. Remission maintenance therapy does not prevent relapses. In patients with relapse ifosfamide and etoposide in combination with cisplatinum frequently are still effective.