Carboplatin-based chemotherapy and surgery: a cost effective treatment strategy for malignant extracranial germ cell tumours in the developing world.

Nineteen children with malignant extracranial germ cell tumours (MEGCT), were treated at our institution with a combination of carboplatin-based chemotherapy and surgery from 1992 to 2008. Seventeen are long term survivors. Chemotherapy was administered on an outpatient basis and required no monitoring of GFR or auditory function. There were no deaths from toxicity or infection. Blood product use was low. Carboplatin-based therapy achieved excellent results in our patient population and constitutes more than a US $1,800 saving per patient compared to regimens containing cisplatin. This has application in resource limited settings.