Abstract
A study of the incidence and clinical course of testicular germ-cell tumor metastatic to the gastrointestinal tract is presented. Gastrointestinal tract metastasis occurred in 25 cases, 5% of all patients evaluated with germ-cell tumor of the testis. Although embryonal carcinoma was the dominant component in all cases, elements of choriocarcinoma were found in 20 cases and HCG was positive in 22 cases. Metastasis occurred most commonly by direct invasion from adjacent tumor. The most frequent site of gastrointestinal involvement was the proximal small intestine. Involvement of the duodenum was noted in seven cases. The most common gastrointestinal tract manifestations were intestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal bleeding. Although a variety of therapeutic modalities were tried, the average length of survival from the time of diagnosis of gastrointestinal metastasis to death was six months.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Borskii AA: Diagnosis, staging and natural history of testicular tumors. Cancer 32:1202–1205, 1973
Wittes RE, Yagoda A, Silvay O, Magill GB, Whitmore, Krakoff IH, Golbey RB: Chemotherapy of germ cell tumors. Cancer 37:637–645, 1976
Chiappa S, Uslenghi C, Galli G, Ravasi G, Bonadonna G: Lymphangiography and endolymphatic radiotherapy in testicular tumors. Br J Radiol 39:498–512, 1966
Mostofi RK: Testicular tumors. Cancer 32:1186–1201, 1973
Dixon FJ, Moore RA: Testicular tumors: A clinicopathologic study. Cancer, 6:427–454, 1953
Hajdu SI, Hajdu EO: Cytopathology of Sarcomas and Other Nonepithelial Malignant Tumors. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders, 1976, pp 141–182
Willis RA: The Spread of Tumours in the Human Body, 2nd ed. London, Butterworth, 1952.
Ray B, Hajdu SI, Whitmore WF: Distribution of retroperitoneal lymph node metastases in testicular germ cell tumors. Cancer 33:340–348, 1974
MacDonald EJ: Multiple Primaries in Cancer of the Gastrointestinal Tract, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Chicago, Year Book Medical Publishers, 1967, pp 296–282.
Veen HF, Oscarson JEA, Malt RA: Alien cancers of the duodenum. Surg Gynecol Obstet 143:39–42, 1976
Ngan H: Involvement of the duodenum by metastases from tumors of the genital tract. Br J Radiol 43:701–705, 1970
Ehrlich AM, Stalder G, Geller W, Sherlock P: Gastrointestinal manifestations of malignant lymphoma. Gastroenterology 54:1115–1121, 1968
Meyers MA, McSweeney J: Secondary neoplasms of the bowel. Radiology 105:1–11, 1072
Staubitz WJ, Magoss IV, Grace JT, Schenk WG: Surgical management of testis tumors. J Urol 101:350–355, 1969
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported in part by the American Cancer Society Clinical Fellowship 3697 to Dr. Chait, and American Cancer Society Junior Faculty Clinical Fellowship 352 to Dr. Kurtz.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chait, M.M., Kurtz, R.C. & Hajdu, S.I. Gastrointestinal tract metastasis in patients with germ-cell tumor of the testis. Digest Dis Sci 23, 925–928 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01072468
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01072468