[The modular image analysis computer for assessment of prognosis in testicular tumors]

Since 1981 a total of 107 patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis (NSGCT) in clinical stage I were assigned to a "wait and see" protocol. At a median follow-up of 40 months (4-100) thirty seven pts. (35%) relapsed with 84% of these within the first year. Employing the Hedley-technique out of 50 primary tumor-tissues available nuclear suspensions were obtained, staining according to the DNA-Feulgen-procedure and evaluated by the modular image analysis computer (MIAC, Leitz, FRG). In 67% hyperpentaploidy was found in the cases with progression while only 23% exhibited a greater than 5c-rate in the NED-group. With logistic regression achieving a p-value of 0.0296 hyperpentaploidy has to be considered a significant prognosticator in NSGCT/CS I.