High frequency of metastatic Leydig cell testicular tumours.

690 patients were treated for testicular tumour in the course of 18 years. The histology of 7 cases showed Leydig cell tumour. In 4 of the 7 cases, a metastatic process leading to death was observed. At the time of diagnosis, 5 patients were found to have low stage, whereas 2 of the patients had advanced lymphatic involvement. The hematogenous and lymphatic metastases proved to be resistant to chemotherapy. Contrary to the major part of the literature, retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy should be performed with this histological type for the exact pathological staging immediately following orchiectomy. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.