[Radiotherapy of seminoma: small-volume irradiation at the stage pT1N0M0--prophylactic irradiation of the mediastinum].

122 patients suffering from seminoma were irradiated between 1971 and 1981 at the Radiotherapy Department of the University of Munich. 113 patients were available for retrospective analysis. The ten year actuarial survival for all patients was 93%. The survival rate in stage pT1N0M0 (UICC classification) was 100%, in stage pT2-4-xN0M0 97%, in stage pT1-4-xN1-3M0 93%, and in stage pT1-xN4M0/pT1-xN1-4M1 69%. Using a stage adapted target volume, the exclusive irradiation of the paraaortic nodes in the stage pT1N0M0 led to a cure-rate of 100%. Because of this result, and due to the improved tolerance and lower exposure to the remaining testis we recommend this method. The effectiveness of radiotherapy, also in advanced seminomas, the benefit of prophylactic mediastinal irradiation and the therapeutic modalities for treatment of extragonadal seminomas are discussed.