[Infiltration of the testes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood--personal experience]

According to various literature data testicular leukemic infiltration occurs in 5-40%, while the mean time for testicular recurrence is 36 months. Hematologic recurrence usually occurs in the interval from 1-6 months. Although testicular leukemic infiltration clinically occurs as an isolated recurrence of leukemia, it usually presents only a clearly marked spot in the general recurrence of the disease. It is a painless enlargement of one or both testes. The diagnosis is made ultrasonographically and by histopathologic examination of the biopsied testicle tissue. This paper deals with 4 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and testicular recurrence. In 2 patients the testicular recurrence occurred as a part of the general recurrence of the disease, while in the other 2 at the time of testicular recurrence diagnosis, the bone marrow was regular. All 4 patients were treated with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, in 3 cases successfully.