Testicular tumours

Abstract

With modern methods of diagnosis, staging and treatment, seminoma is a highly curable tumour. The worse results for the treatment of teratomas are likely to improve particularly as methods for detection of the tumour improve and as types of treatment are increasingly combined in a way which takes account of the biology of the tumour and the strength and limitation of each treatment modality. Stage I and II teratoma should receive irradiation after orchidectomy although when bulky retroperitoneal disease is present irradiation alone is rarely capable of securing local tumour control. In these cases chemotherapy may achieve nodal regression preparatory to irradiation. Excision of residual masses after irradiation should be considered in teratoma. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for disseminated teratoma but maintaining tumour control poses problems. Whole lung irradiation following chemotherapy is being assessed in selected patients.