[Primary extragonadal germ cell tumors in men. 1. Frequency, morphology and clinical aspects]

Though primary extragonadal germ cell tumours of man are rare, they always should be involved into the differential diagnosis in the clarification of abdominal, thoracic or cerebral symptoms. Typical for such localisations are unspecific complaints and the in most cases late establishing of the diagnosis so that in spite of potent multimodal therapeutic approaches the prognosis is frequently unfavourable. In the years from 1980 to 1989 in various clinics of the Medical Academy Erfurt altogether 453 males were treated on account of malignant germinal tumour diseases. In 23 cases (5.1%) these occurred primarily extragonadally. Among them 14 retroperitoneal, 5 mediastinal and 4 cerebral manifestations were found. Seminomas dominated with 52.2%. In 2 cases each we observed embryonic carcinomas, chorionic carcinomas and tumours of the vitelline sac and in 5 cases combined tumours of the germ cells.