[Histological classification and biological behavior of germ cell tumors of the testis. Studies based on surgery and autopsy data 1958-1979]

Report about 155 cases of germ cell tumors observed at the department of pathology of the district hospital Schwerin, GDR, from 1958 to 1979 in orchiectomy specimens (146 cases) and in autopsies (9 cases; primary diagnosis at autopsy). The reclassification of the tumors according to WHO-Classification resulted in orchiectomy specimens 54 seminomas (37%), 18 embryonal carcinomas (12%), 44 teratocarcinomas (30%), 10 choriocarcinomas with another histological type (7%), 6 teratocarcinomas with seminoma and 5 embryonal carcinomas with seminoma. Yolk sac tumors were found four times, immature teratomas four times, a mature teratoma once. The 9 germ cell tumors in autopsies were seminomas (2), embryonal carcinomas (3), choriocarcinomas (2) and Choriocarcinomas with embryonal carcinoma (2). The average age of patients with seminomas is about 38 years, the average age of the patients with other germ cell tumors is about 28 years. 11 times a maldescended testis was found (10 times of the involved testis, once of the opposite one). Five years after diagnosis two thirds of patients with seminomas and only one third of patients with the other germ cell tumors are alive. Beside the histological type the extension of the tumor at beginning of the therapy is an essential factor of prognosis.