Tumor Volume, CT Scan, Lymphography, Sonography, Intravenous Pyelography, and Tumor Markers in Testis Tumors

Abstract

Correlation of tumor volume to tumor stage in 134 patients with nonseminomatous testicular tumors, which were classified according to the TNM system, revealed similar tumor load for N0 and N1 patients. CT scans (n = 92), lymphangiography (n = 47), intravenous pyelography (IVP) (n = 134), sonography (n = 118) and serial tumor markers (n = 82) were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, both separately and in different combinations. The best individual results were obtained by lymphangiography (sensitivity 0.77, specificity 0.73, accuracy 0.75) and CT scan (sensitivity 0.52, specificity 0.91, accuracy 0.70). In combination CT scan and lymphangiography were the most valuable diagnostic tools (accuracy 0.79) with high sensitivity (0.88) and specificity (0.77). For patients with negative CT scans, subsequent lymphangiography is recommended for accurate staging, as seems mandatory in stage 1 patients entering surveillance programs.