Failure analysis in irradiated stage I testicular seminoma. Results of long-term follow-up (1968-1993).

A retrospective analysis of 81 stage I seminoma patients irradiated at the Northern Israel Oncology Center between 1968 and 1993 was undertaken. During this period, 5 (6%) patients relapsed, all outside the initial treatment volume, with a median time of 6.6 (range 1-12) months to relapse. Three patients were salvaged with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The policy of adjuvant radiotherapy resulted in a high probability of cure and decreased relapse rate. Early relapse is a rare event in properly irradiated stage I seminoma which is highly curable with a cisplatin-containing regimen. Recurrences tend to occur outside the treated radiation volume.