Nonseminomatous germ cell cancer of the testis. Reducing treatment-related morbidity in patients with disseminated disease

Fourteen previously untreated patients with metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell cancer of the testis (NSGC) were treated with a modified VAB-4 regimen which was designed to reduce treatment-related morbidity. Nine of 10 patients with minimal disease and the only patient with advanced pulmonary disease achieved a complete response (CR) with chemotherapy alone. Two of three partial responders with advanced abdominal disease were converted to CR status with radiotherapy and/or surgery. None of the 12 CRs have relapsed (median duration of follow-up, 28+ months). We observed no granulocytopenic fever or permanent renal insufficiency. These results indicate that NSGC patients with a low tumor burden can be spared substantial toxicity without adversely affecting complete response rates.