Pulmonary function tests, including spirometry, transfer factor of the lungs for carbon monoxide (TlCO), and the two components of TlCO, the diffusing capacity of the alveolocapillary membrane (Dm) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc), were carried out in a group of patients with testicular carcinoma during and after treatment with the Einhorn regimen. The lung function parameters of patients who developed bleomycin-induced pneumonitis were compared with those recorded in a group of patients who did not develop this syndrome. We suggest that bleomycin-induced damage to the pulmonary capillary vasculature can be monitored by measuring Vc and that ensuing fibrosis can be measured by recording Dm. The decrease in Dm is probably compensated for by an increase in Vc, leading to a smaller change in TlCO.

Pulmonary function tests, including TlCO, and renal function tests were performed and GFR and ERPF measured in 18 patients with disseminated testicular non-seminoma before and after remission induction according to the Einhorn regimen. We found a significant positive correlation between △GFR and △TICO (p < 0.05). No significance could be demonstrated between △ERPF and △TICO. It is concluded that caution should be exercised in administrating bleomycin to patients with severely impaired renal function.