Adding a single high-dose chemotherapy cycle to three cycles of standard salvage chemotherapy for relapsed germ-cell tumours does not improve clinical outcomes.

摘要

Although complete remission of germ cell carcinoma is common with combination chemotherapy using cisplatin, salvage treatment is required for those who relapse. The optimum regimen for salvage chemotherapy of relapsing germ cell tumours is not yet established, and currently the standard treatment is a 5-day course of vinblas-tine-etoposide-cisplatin (Ve!P) repeated every 3 weeks, for four cycles. Dose escalation strategies may offer clinical benefits, particularly in young, otherwise healthy males with good performance status.