Treatment-related cardiovascular late effects and exercise training countermeasures in testicular germ cell cancer survivorship Journal Article


Authors: Christensen, J. F.; Bandak, M.; Campbell, A.; Jones, L. W.; Højman, P.
Article Title: Treatment-related cardiovascular late effects and exercise training countermeasures in testicular germ cell cancer survivorship
Abstract: Background. Treatment of testicular germ cell cancer constitutes a major success story in modern oncology. Today, the vast majority of patients are cured by a therapeutic strategy using one or more highly effective components including surgery (orchiectomy), radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. However, the excellent cancer-specific survival comes at considerable costs, as individuals with a history of germ cell cancer experience serious long-term complications, including markedly increased risk of cardiovascular morbidities and premature cardiovascular death. The factors responsible, as well as their mode of action, are not fully understood and there is a lack of knowledge concerning optimal evidence-based long-term follow-up strategies. Results. Here, we present the growing body of evidence suggesting that germ cell cancer patients as a consequence of the different treatment components, are subjected to toxicities, which individually, and synergistically, can cause physiological impairments leading to sub-clinical or clinical cardiovascular disorders (i.e. the 'multiple-hit hypothesis'). Furthermore, we discuss the efficacy and utility of structured exercise training to ameliorate treatment-induced cardiovascular dysfunction to prevent premature onset of clinical cardiovascular disease in germ cell cancer survivors, with a view towards highlighting future directions of exercise-based survivorship research in the germ cell cancer setting. Conclusion. As exercise training may have the potential to ameliorate and/or reverse long-term cardiovascular disease sequelae in germ cell cancer survivors, a strong rationale exists for the promotion of exercise oncology research in this setting, in order to provide exercise recommendations for optimal germ cell cancer survivorship. © 2015 Informa Healthcare.
Keywords: cancer survival; review; cisplatin; cancer combination chemotherapy; cancer patient; cancer radiotherapy; etoposide; exercise; cancer survivor; prednisolone; cardiovascular disease; cardiovascular risk; bleomycin; glucocorticoid; antiemetic agent; orchiectomy; testis cancer; germ cell tumor; cardiovascular effect; human; male; priority journal
Journal Title: Acta Oncologica
Volume: 54
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0284-186X
Publisher: Informa Healthcare  
Date Published: 2015-05-01
Start Page: 592
End Page: 599
Language: English
DOI: 10.3109/0284186x.2014.995776
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 25751759
PMCID: PMC5020419
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 3 June 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Lee Winston Jones
    177 Jones