We investigated the impact of smoking on overall survival (OS) in testicular germ cell cancer (TC) patients receiving first line combination chemotherapy (BEP). Patients who received BEP for metastatic TC were identified in the Danish Testicular Cancer (DaTeCa) database. Information on smoking status at the time of diagnosis was obtained by medical record review. OS and cause of death was compared between current smokers and never-smokers Of 1,883 eligible patients, information on smoking status was available in 1,156 patients, of whom 602 were current smokers. 10-year OS was 92% in never-smokers compared to 83% in current smokers (P < 0.001), hazard ratio for death: 1.85, 95% confidence interval (1.29-2.66), (P = 0.001). A higher proportion of current smokers died of TC compared to non-smokers (P < 0.01). Smoking negatively impacts survival after BEP in patients with disseminated TC. Vigorous smoking cessation programmes are advocated in TC patients.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2023 Feb 20 [Epub ahead of print]
Mikkel Bandak, Kristine Skovly Nielsen, Michael Kreiberg, Thomas Wagner, Josephine Rosenvilde, Charlotta Pissinger, Christoffer Johansen, Gedske Daugaard, Jakob Lauritsen
Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark., Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region of Denmark., Late Effect Research Unit (CASTLE), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital.