[The diagnostic significance of microcalcifications in testicular tumors (author's transl)]

The evaluation of total orchiectomy tissue specimens with malignant testicular tumors shows that microcalcifications can be found in a surprisingly high percentage by radiological and histological examinations. Small, often in several groups located calcifications in the parenchyma neighbouring the tumor are typical for seminoma, whereas in teratoma solitary microcalcifications and polymorphic types can also be seen. Microcalcifications are also present in not neoplastic testicular diseases but in a much smaller percentage and with a different type of calcification. The preoperative radiographic examination of testicular tumors of unknown origin seems to be indicated as a non-invasive method able to provide further information about the presence of a malignant germ cell tumor. Regarding the genetic risks of the method, there is hope to avoid other more invasive examinations with their danger of tumor spreading and to enable a radical resection of the primary tumor before its metastic formation by the mean of preoperative orchioradiography.