Twenty-eight patients with stage III germinal testicular tumor were treated between 1979 and 1983 with an average follow-up of 20.5 months. Chemotherapy consisting of cis platinum + vinblastine + bleomycin was given once in three weeks for 4 cycles. The patients with complete remission were followed up at monthly examinations, while all other patients were treated with cis platinum + Vepesid®. One patient with a mixed testicular tumor who had a lump in the abdomen and negative markers was treated surgically.

After 4 cycles of chemotherapy, complete remission was obtained in 45% of the patients with seminoma and in 21% of the patients with nonseminomatous tumors. The progression rate was 11% and 26%, respectively.

Serious complications of chemotherapy were sepsis, angioneurotic edema, deep vein thrombosis, anemia and leucopenia.

High volume metastasis and increased levels of tumor markers were the worst prognostic features.

Keywords: abdominal lump, chemotherapy, complete response, testicular tumors