Do you routinely check Pulmonary function testing prior to each cycle of BEP for young patients with testicular cancer with no pulmonary risk factors?
NCCN guidelines state check at baseline and then as clinically indicated. Some other sources state, can check prior to each cycle of BEP?
What is the frequency of PFT testing in your practice?
2 Answers
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Medical Oncology · Indiana Univ Simon Cancer Center
Answered on
A few comments:
- I do not check DLCO or PFTs in general in patients under age 50 getting just 3 courses of BEP. We tend to avoid bleo if over age 50.
- If a patient is getting 12 weeks of bleo, I check DLCO just prior to the start of the 4th course, and if DLCO < 60%, I give VIP for the 4th course. Ad...
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Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Medical Oncology · Veterans Administration Health Care Center
Answered on
When I am starting a patient on BEP or something similar, I pay particular attention to the following:
- Is the patient a smoker and for how long?
- Does the patient have extensive pulmonary mets?
- Does the patient have intercurrent pulmonary disease - in my career, I have only treated one patient with ...
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