Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Male Patients With Germ Cell Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Nonseminoma germ cell tumor of any extracranial primary site diagnosed by 1 of the following methods: * Histologic confirmation * Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) \> 1,000 ng/mL or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) \> 5,000 IU/L with appropriate clinical picture in a man \< 45 years of age * Poor prognosis features as defined by ≥ 1 of the following: * AFP \> 10,000 ng/mL * hCG \> 50,000 IU/L * Lactic dehydrogenase \> 10 times normal * Nonpulmonary visceral metastases * Mediastinal primary site PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Male * WHO performance status 0-3 * Glomerular filtration rate \> 50 mL/min * Less than 50 mL/min eligible if due to obstructive neuropathy that can be relieved by stenting or nephrostomy * No comorbid condition that would prevent treatment * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * No prior chemotherapy except low-dose chemotherapy to stabilize disease before study therapy