On Dec. 19, 1978, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Cisplatin for use in testicular and ovarian cancers.

Cisplatin, a platinum-containing anticancer compound with unique biologic effects, has been used for treatment of numerous human cancers including bladder, head and neck, lung, ovarian, and testicular cancers. It is effective against various types of cancers, including carcinomas, germ cell tumors, lymphomas, and sarcomas.

Cisplatin and other similar platinum-based drugs were developed with National Cancer Institute (NCI) support. They are prescribed for an estimated 10 to 20 percent of all cancer patients.