CT evaluation of advanced seminoma treated with chemotherapy

The serial CT characteristics of nodal metastases from pure seminoma treated with chemotherapy were evaluated in 18 patients. Fifty percent of masses at presentation contained areas of low attenuation; none had calcification. After chemotherapy, masses completely resolved in four patients, partially resolved in 12 patients, and remained unchanged in one patient. The remaining patient developed progressive liver metastases during therapy and died. Pathologic evaluation of residual masses in four patients demonstrated only fibrosis. Residual masses in nine other patients demonstrated further partial resolution or remained stable over the following year; two developed calcification. These patients exhibited no clinical evidence of disease for a median follow-up of 22 or more months. Persistent but stable or resolving masses are common after chemotherapy for advanced seminoma. Unlike their nonseminomatous counterparts, they most often represent fibrosis in patients with no other clinical evidence of disease and do not warrant surgical excision.