ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The reduction of iatrogenesis is fundamental in the treatment of germ-cell testicular tumors (GTT) because of the high incidence of cures achieved. On the other hand, the tumoral mass and the serum concentration of the beta fraction of the gonadotropin hormone (CGH) and of alphafetoprotein allow the differentiation of 2 clear prognostic groups; those for which the intensity of chemotherapy may be adapted to reduce its collateral effects and improve the results. METHODS: In the Oncology Department of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau 23 patients with GTT of good prognosis were treated between 1984-1990. These patients were given the combination of etoposide-cisplatin (EP) over the same period. Twenty patients with a bad prognosis received the alternative scheme of bleomycin-vincristine-methotrexate-cisplatin/etoposide-cisplatin- phosphamide (BOMP/EPI). RESULTS: In comparison to the classical treatment with cisplatin-vinblastine-bleomycin (PVB) the EP association demonstrated less iatrogenesis except in regards to the formation of granulocytopenia which was higher. The BOM/EPI combination conditioned greater hematological toxicity during the acute phase and the first observations suggested a diminution of chronic iatrogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that chemotherapy in testicular cancer may be adapted to the aggressiveness of the with the aim to thereby reduce global toxicity.
