
Four patients with unilateral testicular germ-cell tumor and biopsy-proven contralateral testicular intraepithelial neoplasia (TIN; so-called carcinoma in situ) received localized low-dose radiation therapy (18-20 Gy) of the testis with TIN. Repeated biopsies disclosed the disappearance of TIN and germ cells. No recurrence of TIN or germ cells was observed after a follow-up of 18-42 months. All patients reported a normal sex life without need of androgen supplementation. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone increased significantly immediately after radiation treatment and started to decline after 24 months. Serum luteinizing hormone increased slightly but not significantly. A decline after 24 months was observed in only one of three patients. Serum testosterone decreased significantly in all patients after 1 year but never became subnormal. Low-dose radiation treatment is efficacious in eradicating testicular intraepithelial neoplasia without destroying Leydig cells or stromal cells of the testis. Thus, a patient otherwise destined to develop a second testicular tumor can be spared orchiectomy and life-long hormonal replacement.
Adult, Male, Biopsy, Luteinizing Hormone, Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal, Testicular Neoplasms, Evaluation Studies as Topic, Humans, Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Carcinoma in Situ
Adult, Male, Biopsy, Luteinizing Hormone, Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal, Testicular Neoplasms, Evaluation Studies as Topic, Humans, Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Carcinoma in Situ
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