Lack of late toxicity in patients treated with cisplatin-containing combination chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer

J Clin Oncol. 1990 Jan;8(1):21-6. doi: 10.1200/JCO.1990.8.1.21.

Abstract

To date, the prevalence and nature of the late toxicity of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy for advanced testicular cancer has been poorly documented. Thirty men with a median age of 35 years (range, 23 to 63), who had undergone such treatment were assessed with detailed investigation to determine the type and frequency of chronic toxicity. The median follow-up from the time of commencement of chemotherapy was 75 months (range, 48 to 126). The most common late toxic effects were high tone hearing loss in 23 men (77%) and electrophysiological evidence of peripheral nerve damage in 15 (50%). Both the hearing and nerve abnormalities were predominantly asymptomatic. In addition, elevation of serum cholesterol, noted in 20 patients (67%), was significant (P = .014) when compared with a control population. Hyperuricemia was present in nine patients (30%). Only one patient, with other risk factors (smoking, family history), had evidence of ischaemic heart disease while 20% (all with a smoking history) had a diminished single breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is relatively free of major long-term side effects and should not be withheld for fear of late toxicity.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Bleomycin / administration & dosage
  • Cardiovascular System / drug effects
  • Cardiovascular System / physiopathology
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hearing / drug effects
  • Hearing / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / physiopathology
  • Peripheral Nerves / drug effects
  • Peripheral Nerves / physiopathology
  • Respiration / drug effects
  • Respiration / physiology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Time Factors
  • Vinblastine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Bleomycin
  • Vinblastine
  • Cisplatin