Gonadal function in men with testicular germ cell cancer: the influence of cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Exocrine and endocrine gonadal function is abnormal in some of the testicular cancer patients who have been treated with orchidectomy alone and receive no cytotoxic treatment. A review of the literature reveals that cisplatin-based chemotherapy seems to induce additional long-term damage to spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function. Most patients regain active spermatogenesis after chemotherapy, whereas subclinical Leydig cell dysfunction persists. In order to elucidate whether the cisplatin-induced gonadal toxicity has clinical implications, observation periods exceeding those previously reported are required.