TREATMENT OF METASTATIC GERM-CELL TUMORS IN MEN WITH ADRIAMYCIN, VINCRISTINE, AND BLEOMYCIN

Abstract

Patients (25) with metastatic germ-cell tumors were treated with a combination of adriamycin, vincristine and bleomycin. Fifteen patients (60%) previously received radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both. Twenty patients (80%) responded to treatment, with 8 (32%) patients achieving a complete remission (CR) and 12(48%) patients achieving a partial remission (PR). The median duration of response for the patients with PR was 4 mo., whereas 4 patients with a CR remain alive without evidence of disease for > 3 yr after the initiation of treatment. Responses were observed in all tumor categories and apparently were not influenced by prior therapy. Side effects included gastrointestinal toxicity, alopecia, neuropathy, skin changes, mucositis and myelosuppression (more severe in previously treated patients). Though moderate success was demonstrated for this chemotherapy regimen, it does not appear as effective as more recent regimens including vinblastine and bleomycin.