The value of ifosfamide in the polychemotherapy of metastasized testicular cancer pretreated with chemotherapy.

Ifosfamide (Holoxan) has an effect as a single drug on testicular carcinoma and shows synergism with cisplatinum in mice. In combination chemotherapy of testicular cancer ifosfamide has great value as an alternative to bleomycin when the total bleomycin dose has reached a toxic level. The VIP regimen is effective on lung nodules (a marked regression can be seen) and tumor markers (the levels fall). In combination with surgery 8 of 14 patients (= 60%) with disseminated disease (Stage IIIa and IIIb) can reach NED status even after having extended tumor manifestations (bulky disease) after more than 4 cycles of previous combination chemotherapy.