[Extragonadal germ cell tumors--diagnostic and therapeutic aspects]

The extratesticular manifestation of a tumor of the germ cells without apparent involvement of the testicle is a rare disease. During the last few years, seven patients with extragonadal tumors of the germ cells have been treated at our hospital. Tumor site was the retroperitoneum in four patients and the mediastinum, the lung, and the pineal body in one patient each. Based on the clinical courses of the seven cases, the authors discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic experiences with extragonadal tumors of the germ cells of various histologies and localizations. In order to make possible a curative therapy, the treatment should be performed according to the therapeutic conceptions existing for comparable histologic grades of primary testicle tumors.