Experience with beta-HCG-positive seminoma

The clinical findings, diagnosis and course of disease of eight patients with histological 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 of all eight patients remained normal. There was no correlation between serum beta-HCG level and tumour stage. The longest period of observation was 48 months, the shortest 11 months. All patients were treated primarily by radiotherapy. One patient also received chemotherapy and one patient underwent bilateral lymphadenectomy 13 months after radiotherapy.