[Germinal testicular tumors]

Characteristic for the germinal cell tumors of the testis is their great variety. Collins and Pugh gave a classification of testis tumors under consideration of the genesis of the tumor and the clinical progressing. The staging should be done according to the TNM-system which is based on the UICC recommendations of 1973. If a tumor is suspected an exploration of the testis must be performed. After definitive histological diagnosis via immediate section for microscopic examination during surgery an enlarged orchiectomy and local lymph node dissection has to be performed. In cases of seminoma a 5-year-survival-rate of 90 to 97 per cent can be achieved by radiation of two fields (4 fields in case metastases are suspected). Because of the radio resistance of the teratoid tumors a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection has to follow the enlarged orchiectomy. With a subtile operating technique all the lymph nodes between diaphragm and aortic bifuraction can be removed in case of operability. Postoperative radiation therapy is only recommended in case of excessive lymph node metastases. By an adjuvant chemotherapy following retroperitoneal lymph node dissection a 5-year-survival-rate of more than 80 per cent can be obtained in cases of teratoid tumors.