Problems in Management of Primary Bilateral Germ Cell Testicular Tumors: Report of 3 Cases and Review of Literature

Abstract

Bilateral primary germ cell tumors are uncommon but not rare in men with primary testicular tumors. In our series of 78 cases of germ cell tumors 3 (3.8 per cent) were bilateral. In the management of a second neoplasm the same general principles apply as those for the first tumor but one must be aware of the potential complications of radiotion therapy when the total dose for cure of the first and second neoplasms exceeds the tolerance dose of normal tissue and therapy must be modified accordingly. Prognosis is not necessarily poor when a second primary tumor develops and complications can be reduced to a low level with appropriate therapy. Our outline for therapy is presented.