[Adult primary germ cell tumours outside the testes (author's transl)]

Out of 78 male germ cell tumours treated between 1974 and 1979, 61 were carcinomas of the testis and 17 (20%) did not originate from that gland. Primary germ cell tumours outside the testes are not uncommon. They occupy with equal frequency the mediastinum or the retroperitoneal region. Germ cell tumours account for about 50% of isolated mediastinal tumours in young men. They are usually diagnosed at a late stage, with consequently poor prognosis. Assays of alpha-foetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin should be more frequently performed.