Delivering Chemotherapy to a Metastatic Poor Risk Testicular Cancer Patient on Hemodialysis

Curr Oncol. 2022 Mar 8;29(3):1808-1812. doi: 10.3390/curroncol29030148.

Abstract

A standard curative intent approach of chemotherapy treatment for metastatic testicular cancer has been well established. However, there is little guidance for patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) who require chemotherapy for this disease. Thus, we describe our treatment approach and rationale for a patient on HD with poor risk metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor involving the testicle, lymph nodes, liver, and bone. After orchiectomy, five cycles of cisplatin and modified dose etoposide were delivered and strategically timed with HD. Treatment was complicated by significant neuropathy. Surgical resection of two liver lesions was performed after chemotherapy. Ten years post-chemotherapy, he remains free of clinical, biochemical, or radiological recurrence. While our patient remains free of disease after this treatment, the optimal chemotherapy and dialysis dose and schedule to maximize cure and minimize toxicity remains unknown.

Keywords: chemotherapy delivery; hemodialysis; renal failure; testicular cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Etoposide / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary*
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Testicular Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Testicular Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Etoposide