[Chemotherapy of testicular cancer]

Platinum-based polychemotherapy has increased the cure rate in testicular cancer dramatically: at first, chemotherapy was mainly used in advanced disease. Recently it has also become common in low-stage disease, though other therapeutic options are equivalent. Risk factors might help to find the right decision. The success of treatment in patients with metastatic disease results from the combination of chemotherapy and secondary surgery. High-dose chemotherapy for patients with poor prognosis or recurrent disease is being evaluated in clinical trials. Concerning the success in these stages prognostic factors are of special importance. Patients with advanced-stage nonseminoma need residual tumor resection after chemotherapy if no complete remission could be achieved. The therapist should be aware of the indication for and schedule of chemotherapy, its side effects, and supportive care.