Six cases of spermatocytic seminoma are reported, and the literature on the subject is reviewed. This neoplasm occurs in elderly persons, is grossly characterized by a gelatinous appearance, and has distinctive microscopic characteristics. Its degree of differentiation is far greater than that exhibited by classical seminoma, a tumor from which it should be separated. It is exclusively limited to the testicle and is never associated with teratomatous elements. Claims that it has a less favorable prognosis than classical seminoma are refuted; instead it is shown that the reverse is probably true. The large majority of patients have been cured by orchiectomy, whether or not postoperative irradiation therapy had been administered.

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Two cases of spermatocytic seminoma were examined by electron microscopy. The more important ultrastructural features were: prominent nucleolus with dispersed nucleolonema; occasional nuclei with die chromosomal configuration of the leptotene stage of meiotic prophase; marked development of die Golgi apparatus, with formation of a dense secretory product; basal bodies and ciliary rootlets; “lamellar bodies”; specialized cell junctions of the zonula adherens type; true intercellular bridges, identical to those normally found between spermatocytes and between spermatids; syncytial formations; and basal laminae (basement membranes). Comparison of these findings with those of classical seminomas suggests an origin from the same cell type but also indicates that spermatocytic seminoma is a tumor distinct from the former by virtue of its greater differentiation, as evidenced by its capacity to produce spermatocytes and possibly spermatids.