Yolk sac tumor of the testicle: is retroperitoneal lymph node dissection necessary?

We report our experience with 11 cases of yolk sac tumors, which were treated between 1960 and 1982 at the Hôpital Sainte-Justine and the Montreal Children's Hospital. The role of lymphadenectomy in yolk sac tumors is analyzed critically and put into perspective with the use of serum alpha-fetoprotein. A flow sheet is presented for the management of yolk sac tumors. It seems that the indication for lymphadenectomy in yolk sac tumor should be restricted to patients with persistently elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein after inguinal orchiectomy and chemotherapy.