The pattern of spread and treatment of metastases in testicular seminoma

Abstract

The results of treatment of 199 patients referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital with testiclar seminoma from 1963 to 1975 are described. Of 190 previously untreated patients 16 (8.4%) have died of seminoma, 3 (1.5%) of teratoma and 9 (4.9%) of intercurrent disease. Of 121 Stage I patients the only death was due to a second testicular tumour. In orchiectomy and volume of abdominal node metastases. This was not, however, prognostically significant. Death from seminoma occurred in 6 out of 38 patients (15.8%) with nodal metastases less than or equal to 5 cm in diameter and 3 out of 16 patients (18.7%) with metastases greater than 5 cm in diameter; 2 of 8 Stage III patients died of seminoma. Thus radiation controlled nodal metastases in more than 80% of Stage I, II and III patients. In Stage IV patients and patients referred with disease relapse, 12 out of 16 patients died of seminoma. Chemotherapy experience is briefly reviewed. Cyclophosphamide as a single agent has produced a 50% response rate. There is no evidence to suggest a radiation-related increase in mortality from the group of long-term tumour-free survivors.