Germ cell testicular tumours with lung metastases: chemotherapy and surgical treatment

Eighty patients with stage IV testicular germ cell tumours with lung metastases were treated with PVB chemotherapy and subsequent surgery in cases of residual disease. Out of 80 patients 28 (35%) achieved complete response following chemotherapy alone. Thirty-six patients (45%) with partial response underwent surgery: 17 had lymphadenectomy because of residual mass in the retroperitoneum, 15 had pulmonary surgery alone and 4 had both operations. Of these 36 patients 27 achieved complete response following cytostatic and surgical treatment. Sixteen patients died following PVB chemotherapy, 10 of them due to progression of disease, and there were six (7.5%) drug-related deaths. The authors refer to the importance of surgical treatment of residual metastatic mass in the lungs following PVB chemotherapy. Germ cell tumours of the testis are the most curable solid neoplasms treated by the oncologist. Advances in their management are due to the introduction of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy and surgical removal of the residual mass [8]. Progress in chemotherapy of testicular tumours has changed the attitude towards thoracotomy and surgical removal of lung metastases. The aim of this study is to evaluate combined cytostatic and surgical treatment of disseminated testicular tumours with emphasis on surgical removal of residual lung metastases following chemotherapy.