Spermatocytic seminoma. I. Clinicopathologic study of six cases and review of the literature

Six cases of spermatocytic seminoma are reported, and the literature on the subject is reviewed. This neoplasm occurs in elderly persons, is grossly characterized by a gelatinous appearance, and has distinctive microscopic characteristics. Its degree of differentiation is far greater than that exhibited by classical seminoma, a tumor from which it should be separated. It is exclusively limited to the testicle and is never associated with teratomatous elements. Claims that it has a less favorable prognosis than classical seminoma are refuted; instead it is shown that the reverse is probably true. The large majority of patients have been cured by orchiectomy, whether or not postoperative irradiation therapy had been administered.