[Primary retroperitoneal malignant germinal tumors in man]

Primary retroperitoneal malignant germinal tissue tumors were detected in 9 male subjects. Normally diagnosed at a late stage because of their localization, excision of these tumors is usually impossible, but in 8 of the 9 cases of this personal series diagnosis was possible without laparotomy by assay of biological markers: hCG and foetoprotein. The size of the tumors prevents their eradication by radiotherapy, but chemotherapy has become effective since the employ of cis-platinum and bleomycin by continuous infusion, and secondary surgery can then be performed. None of these patients had a testicular tumor.