Ten-year survival and late sequelae in testicular cancer patients treated with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin

J Clin Oncol. 1989 Aug;7(8):1099-104. doi: 10.1200/JCO.1989.7.8.1099.

Abstract

This 10-year follow-up study of 91 patients with disseminated testicular nonseminomatous cancer, treated with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin (PVB) induction chemotherapy and vinblastine plus bleomycin maintenance chemotherapy for a planned period of 2 years, shows a 63% cure rate. The predominant long-term sequelae are neurological and sexual dysfunction in 68% and 40% of patients, respectively. Two patients died of myocardial infarction. Sixteen percent of patients developed hypertension, 23% Raynaud's phenomenon, and 25% ototoxicity. Despite the long-term side effects, 90% of the patients who responded to a questionnaire are fully employed. This study shows that the maintenance chemotherapy has contributed to the incidence and/or degree of neurotoxicity, hypertension, and renal function disturbance.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage*
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Employment
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / etiology
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / physiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Physical Fitness
  • Prognosis
  • Raynaud Disease / etiology
  • Sexual Behavior / drug effects
  • Testicular Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Vinblastine / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Bleomycin
  • Vinblastine
  • Creatinine
  • Cisplatin