Treatment of recurrent and persistent germ cell tumors with cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin.

Four patients were treated with vinblastine, cisplatin, and bleomycin for recurrent or persistent germ cell tumors. In all patients a clinical response was achieved. In 2 patients complete response was attained and they are free of disease following second-look laparotomy. One had a mixed germ cell tumor that persisted as dysgerminoma following primary chemotherapy. The other was a true hermaphrodite with pure dysgerminoma. In patients with endodermal sinus tumor transient response was achieved, but the tumors recurred and the patients died within 6 months.