BIlateral TestIcular Germ Cell Tumors

The phenomenon of bilateral involvement of the testicles was observed nine times in a series of 789 patients with testicular germ cell tumors which were treated in Ankara Oncology Hospital from 1984 to 1994, Four patients evidenced a synchronous bi-lateral tumor (two seminomas, two non-seminomas) and in five others (4 bilateral seminomas, 1 se-minoma and nonseminoma), a second tumor oc-cured after an interval ranging between eight months and eight years eleven months. Three of nine patients had a history of undescended testes. The incidence, histologic findings, therapy and prognosis of bilateral testis tumors are discussed on the basis of a review of the literature. This study emphasizes the small but definite risk for a development of the second testicular tumor and suggests not only the significance of long-term fol-low-up period but also the importance of ult-rasorzography in the early diagnosis of a cont-rlateral tumor.