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. 1990 Oct;62(4):655–659. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1990.350

Long-term sequelae of treatment for testicular germ cell tumours.

D Bissett 1, L Kunkeler 1, L Zwanenburg 1, J Paul 1, C Gray 1, I R Swan 1, D J Kerr 1, S B Kaye 1
PMCID: PMC1971502  PMID: 2171622

Abstract

Seventy-four patients previously treated in our department for germ cell tumour of the testis underwent a series of tests to determine the frequency of long-term therapeutic complications. All had received cisplatin-based chemotherapy as part of their treatment. There was a significant deterioration in renal function throughout the group. Eighteen (24%) had supine blood pressure greater than systolic 140 mmHg or diastolic 90 mmHg after treatment but hypertension did not correlate with renal impairment. Raynaud's phenomenon was common after chemotherapy (26/74) as was persistent sensory neuropathy (23/74). Although 34% had testosterone levels below the normal range, only six patients had a low free testosterone index with one testis still in situ; 18 patients have fathered children after chemotherapy. Approximately half of the patients completed a psychosexual questionnaire and some 30% of them admitted to sexual problems which they attributed to their treatment. Long-term sequelae of cisplatin-based chemotherapy for testicular malignancy are frequent and persistent, and follow-up of these patients should include prospective measurement of changes in blood pressure.

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Selected References

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