Radiotherapy for stages I and II testicular seminoma: results and morbidity in 238 patients

• Published in: British journal of radiology Vol. 68; no. 808; p. 400
• Main Authors: Vallis, K A, Howard, G C, Duncan, W, Cornbleet, M A, Kerr, G R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-04-1995
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Morbidity; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Orchiectomy; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant - adverse effects; Retrospective Studies; Seminoma - mortality; Seminoma - pathology; Seminoma - radiotherapy; Survival Rate; Testicular Neoplasms - mortality; Testicular Neoplasms - pathology; Testicular Neoplasms - radiotherapy
• ISSN: 0007-1285
• DOI: 10.1259/0007-1285-68-808-400

We have undertaken a retrospective analysis of 238 patients with Stages I and II seminoma of the testis treated with radiotherapy in Edinburgh between 1974 and 1989. There were five deaths from seminoma. Cause-specific survival for the whole group at 2 and 5 years was 99.2% and 98.1%, respectively. Cause-specific survival at 2 and 5 years by stage (Royal Marsden staging classification) was: Stage I, 99.5% and 98.7% and Stage II, 98.1% and 96.1%. Fourteen (5.9%) patients relapsed (one after treatment for his second testicular seminoma). Eight were given successful salvage treatment, five died of seminoma and one died of intercurrent disease. 13 (5.5%) patients developed World Health Organisation (WHO) grade 3 gastrointestinal or haematological toxicity and two developed grade 4 gastrointestinal toxicity as a result of abdominal radiotherapy. 22 patients (9.2%) developed problems ascribed to late morbidity of abdominal radiotherapy including 18 with peptic ulcer disease. Contralateral testicular tumours occurred in seven (2.9%) patients and five (2.1%) patients developed malignancies at other sites.