[Primary retroperitoneal seminoma]

A case of primary retroperitoneal seminoma is presented and 73 cases from the literature are reviewed. The mean age was 41 years. The presenting symptoms were abdominal pain in 53% of the cases, low back pain in 43% and in 7% the only symptom was a palpable mass. It is concluded that seminomata exist as primary tumors in the retroperitoneum, but thorough examinations of the patients is necessary in order to arrange correct treatment and to exclude a primary testicular focus or CIS. Ultrasound sonography to discover non-palpable testicular tumors is recommended as well as surgical biopsies of the testis to reveal CIS. In patients treated with combined surgical resection and radiotherapy, the success rate was 92%. The overall success rate was 68%. It is expected that the curability for all patients is significantly improved with the introduction of combination of radiation and chemotherapy, as it has been seen in advanced testicular cancers.