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Biomedical subjects

G Asbjornsen

Publications and source records attributed to G Asbjornsen.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Combination chemotherapy of germ cell tumors of the testis with vincristine, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, actinomycin D and medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Forty-three patients with disseminated germ cell cancer were treated with a combination of vincristine, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, actinomycin-D, and medroxyprogesterone acetate. All the 43 patients were considered evaluable for response. Thirty-one patients (72%) achieved a complete or partial remission and 14 (32.5%) achieved a complete remission. The patients who attained an objective response obtained a significant prolongation of life compared with the nonresponders (median survival 55 vs. 23 weeks). Responses were seen in all histologic categories and most frequently in patients with metastases confined to the lungs. The major side effects were leukopenia and stomatitis. There were no deaths related to toxicity of the chemotherapy.

Adolescent↗

Testicular function after combination chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.

Fertility was estimated by sperm counts and hormone assays in 8 patients treated for Hodgkin's disease with at least 6 courses of combination chemotherapy. This consisted of an alkylator (mechloretamine or cyclophosphamide), a vinca alkaloid (vinblastine or vincristine), procarbazine and prednisone. Azoospermia was found in 7 of the 8 patients on examination 12-29 months after termination of chemotherapy. In 1 patient semen quality improved gradually, and a sperm count of 5 mill/ml was found at 21 months. Serum FSH levels were increased in all but 1 patient who was, nevertheless, azoospermic. The levels of testosterone and LH were generally within normal limits. Thus, the germinal tissue is seriously damaged by this type of chemotherapy. The resulting infertility seems to be complete and of long duration. Partial recovery of spermatogenesis may, however, sometimes take place after prolonged unsustained remission.

Adult↗

Testicular function after radiotherapy to inverted 'Y' field for malignant lymphoma.

Testicular function was estimated by sperm counts, hormone assays and recording of reported conceptions in 9 patients irradiated for malignant lymphoma. The treatment had been an inverted 'Y' field including the inguinal regions with, in addition, a mantle field in 8 patients. Azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia was found in all but 1 patient, and the FSH levels were uniformly elevated. Testosterone and LH were within normal limits except in 2 patients with slightly subnormal testosterone levels. 7 of the patients were married to women of fertile age, and in 3 cases the wife became pregnant and give birth to a healthy child. The time lapses from irradiation to conception were 18, 40 and 57 months. 2 of these patients had severe oligozoospermia on examination 2 and 4 months respectively from conception. Thus fertility may possibly be underestimated by sperm counting and hormone assays after this type of radiotherapy.

Adult↗