[Spermatocytic seminoma of the testis]

During 1968-1988, 6 patients with Stage I spermatocytic seminoma were registered at this oncology center. They represent 7% of a total of 83 patients referred for testicular seminoma (mean age 41 years, range 30-75). All 6 underwent high inguinal orchiectomy and 5 received postoperative radiotherapy. 1 refused any postoperative treatment. In a mean follow-up of 64 months (range 25-204), 4 patients were alive with no evidence of disease, 1 had died of ischemic heart disease without evidence of recurrence of the seminoma, and 1 was lost to follow-up after no evidence of disease was found 90 months after radiotherapy. In the light of our experience and reports in the literature, spermatocytic seminoma has a very good prognosis, although metastatic potential cannot be ruled out. Decision as to treatment should be based mainly on the stage of the disease.