Localization of solitary and multiple metastases in stage II nonseminomatous testis tumor as basis for a modified staging lymph node dissection in stage I.

Because of a continuing need for pathological staging of clinical stage I testicular tumors an investigation was performed to determine the primary sites of metastatic involvement of the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and to define narrowly limited ipsilateral areas of lymph node dissection strictly for the purpose of staging. Surgical/pathological localization of solitary metastases provides the most direct evidence of primary lymphatic spread. There were 214 consecutive patients with stage II disease (excluding bulky disease) evaluated with respect to localization relative to the side of the involved testis and the number of metastases up to 5 cm. Solitary metastases of 5 cm. or less were found in 74 patients, 53 patients had 5 or less lymph nodes of 2 cm. or less and 87 patients had more than 5 lymph nodes of between 2 and 5 cm. Solitary nodes of the right testis tumor were located with decreasing frequency in the upper and lower interaortocaval, lower paracaval and precaval, upper precaval and right common iliac, upper paracaval and upper preaortic zones. Primary deposits of the left testis tumor were seen predominantly in the upper para-aortic zone. Upper preaortic and lower para-aortic zones were involved infrequently, and other areas were affected only in rare cases. These data contradict the assumption of a testicular lymph center located at the openings of the testicular veins into the vena cava and left renal vein, respectively. Multiple metastases were spread over the entire retroperitoneum, except for the external iliac regions. Hilar/suprahilar metastases were seen infrequently. Ipsilateral areas are defined according to primary involvement. A modified retroperitoneal lymph node dissection within ipsilateral areas is proposed as a staging operation for clinical stage I disease and a radical retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is indicated for pathological stage II disease.