VAB-3 combination chemotherapy in primary mediastinal germ cell tumors

Ten patients with primary mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors were treated with the VAB-3 protocol. All patients with measurable disease showed tumor regression with chemotherapy, but only two had sustained partial response allowing thoracotomy and resection of residual tumor after the second induction. Both patients received additional induction therapy and one also received irradiation; they have been free of disease 41+ and 40+ months from the beginning of chemotherapy. All other patients died from the disease.