Therapy of gonadal stromal cell testicular tumours.

At our regional centre, 504 patients with testicular tumour were treated from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1993. In the course of the treatment, 10 patients (2%) with gonadal stromal cell testicular tumours were found. Histopathological examination identified Sertoli cells in 3 cases, granulosa cells in 1 case, and Leydig cell primary tumours in 6 cases. Leydig cell testicular tumours, the most significant clinically, should not be regarded as benign. In 3 of 6 cases metastatic processes developed. Three patients died in spite of the surgical and chemotherapeutic interventions. Analysis of these cases suggests that, following the semicastration of Leydig cell testicular tumours, a primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection should be performed, and an exact identification of the pathological stage should be carried out.