[Prognostic value of extraembryonic components in testicular dysgerminoma (seminoma excluded)]

In 32 cases of non-seminoma germinal tumours of the testis, correlations were established between the presence in situ of beta HCG and alpha foetoprotein, as demonstrated by the PAP immuno-peroxidase technique, the results of serum radioimmunological assays and the clinical course of the disease. It appeared that beta HCG-secreting mononucleate cells were present side by side with multinucleate syncytiotrophoblastic cells and that the immunohistological technique gave "earlier" results than the radioimmunological assays. The demonstration by this technique, in stage II dysgerminomas, of a cryptocellular trophoblastic carcinoma with beta HCG-secreting mononucleate cells indicates a highly malignant germinal tumour.