[Microcalcifications in testicular germ cell tumors. Orientating study concerning its diagnostic utilization...

Connected to testicular germ cell tumors, microcalcifications have been identified by microscopic tissue evaluation, the significance of which has not yet been discussed. Microscopic and radiographic evaluation of histologic slides and paraffin embedded tissue specimens, respectively, of 129 germ cell tumors showed that 46.4% of testes with seminoma and 68.3% of testes with teratoma display microcalcifications as round or roundish psammomatous bodies or irregular-shaped dystrophic calcifications, in teratoma as particles of bone tissue or calcified cartilage. Whereas psammomatous bodies are located within tubules in compressed residual testicular tissue arranged in a shell-like zone around the tumor mass, dystrophic calcifications and bone and cartilage tissues are identified inside the tumor. Often more than 10 microcalcifications per cm2 are present. The diagnostic importance of these findings for clinical use is discussed. Above all, it must be made dependent on a radiographic method which will not be dangerous for testicular tissue.