Sequential combination chemotherapy and surgery for disseminated testicular cancer: cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II), vinblastine, and bleomycin remission-induction therapy followed by cyclophosphamide and adriamycin

Abstract

A multimodality treatment program for disseminated testicular cancer using vinblastine/bleomycin/cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) remission-induction therapy followed by surgery and cyclophosphamide/Adriamycin maintenance therapy has been used in 25 patients. The overall complete and partial response rate was 100%. Six of six patients (100%) with stage II (advanced abdominal) disease have remained in complete remission for a median followup period of 8 months. Seventeen of 19 patients (89%) with stage III metastatic disease have been in complete remission for a median duration of 20 months. No relapses have occurred in any patients who achieved a complete remission. Two of 19 patients (11%) with stage III disease achieved a partial response; one died at 4 months and the other died at 14 months. The toxicity was severe, especially during remission induction. However, there were no drug- or surgically related deaths.