Responde to high-dose cisplatin and ethoposide in advanced germ cell tumors in children: results of the Brazilian Germ Cell Tumor Study

ABSTRACT

A trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy and toxicity of high-dose cisplatin and etoposide in children with newly diagnosed advanced malignant germ cell tumors. A total of eleven children and adolescents were treated with courses of high dose cisplatin 30 mg/m2/day and etoposide 120 mg/m2/day in five day cycles at 21 day intervals. There were eight girls and three boys, aged between 1 and 16 years (median 120 months). Of nine unresectable tumors, six were in complete remission after three cycles and were completely resected. All patients are alive (median follow-up 17 months). Preliminary results shows that high dose cisplatin and etoposide is effective in controlling advanced malignant germ cell tumor.