Bulletin du cancer
-
More than 80% patients with metastatic germ cell tumors are cured by chemotherapy and surgery. Since 1980, intensive chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow was developed for the patients who where not cured by conventional chemotherapy. We present the experience of the Centre Léon-Bérard, between 1982 and 1996, seventy-five metastatic germ cell tumors patients were treated with high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support. ⋯ This study shows the feasability of high dose chemotherapy. Two refractory patients are alive, and the results seem to be interesting for the patients in salvage treatment. But this treatment is not a standard for germinal cell tumors and randomized trials are ongoing.