[Clinical, endocrinological and pathohistologic aspects of beta-HCG positive seminoma]

The most important aspects of the clinical findings, endocrinology and course of the disease in 14 patients with the histological diagnosis of pure seminoma of the testis and positive serum beta-HCG levels are presented. In addition to routine investigations, immunohistochemical examination of the formalin-fixed specimen by the immunoperoxidase technique was also carried out. Serum alpha-feto-protein levels remained normal in all 14 patients. There was no correlation between serum beta-HCG level and tumour stage. The longest period of observation was 76 months and the shortest 8 months. Patients with no evidence of metastatic disease (5 patients, N0M0) or patients with low-stage disease (5 patients, N1 or N2M0) respond very well to radiotherapy. 4 patients (N3-N4M0) with large retroperitoneal metastases or distant lymph node metastases underwent different combinations of treatment.