[Germinative testicular tumors. On the current status of diagnosis, therapy and prognosis]

On the basis of results obtained in a multicentric study on testicular tumors (Bonn 1982) including our own group of patients, we give an outline of the present state of modern diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis concerning germinative tumors of the testes: Etiologically essential is an unknown dysontogenetic disturbance of both gonads. The only clinical predilection factor is cryptorchism. Among the new diagnostic methods, specific tumor markers and high-resolution ultra-sonography have been proved especially useful. In non-seminomas, orchidectomy and lymphadenectomy is followed by chemotherapy instead of radiation therapy, today. Polychemotherapy has greatly improved the prognosis. Andrologically most interesting questions concerning sperm conservation, limited retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, as well as late sequelae of chemotherapy cannot be definitely answered. Our findings rise new questions, which are fully discussed in concluding remarks.