Are IU’s researchers working to lessen the long-term effects of surgeries used to treat testis cancer?
We have always been concerned about the long-term effects of therapy. Dr. John Donohue, our retired former Chief of the Department of Urology, developed and perfected nervesparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissections that allowed 99% of patients undergoing this type of surgery to be able to have normal fertility. Dr. Richard Foster has helped perfect improved surgical techniques. In the recent past, hospitalizations were 7-10 days with significant pain and discomfort and now the average hospitalization is 3-4 days with only minor postoperative discomfort. Q: Are IU’s researchers working on decreasing long term effects of chemotherapy? A: The best way to avoid long-term effects of chemotherapy is to reduce the dosages and duration of chemotherapy. We have done a series of clinical trials that have allowed us to accomplish that endeavor. We, and other investigators around the world, have chronicled both the acute and chronic toxicity of chemotherapy. However, close to 100% of our patie
