Background:The origin of extragonadal retroperitoneal germ cell tumors remains controversial.Whether they develop primarily in the retroperitoneum or whether they are metastases of a primary testicular tumor has long been debated. Patients and methods:We retrospectively analyzed 26 patients treated as having primary extragonadal retroperitoneal germ cell tumors based upon the findings of testicular palpation by the referring physician. Testicular evaluation was then extended with ultrasonographical and histological examinations.Results: Biopsy of the extragonadal tumor was performed in 25 patients, confirming diagnosis of extragonadal retroperitoneal germ cell tumor. Prior to treatment patients were clinically evaluated by several physicians and the testes were not considered suspicious for testicular cancer. At urological workup, testes were found to be atrophic and/or indurated in 14 (54%) patients, enlarged in one (4%) and unremarkable in 11 (42%). Ultrasound examination of the testes in 20 patients showed pathological findings in all of them. Histology of the testis was available in 25 of 26 patients and revealed active tumor in three, intratubular germ cell neoplasia in four, scar tissue in 12, sclerosis in three, sclerosis and fibrosis in one, and fibrosis alone in two.Conclusions: So-called primary extragonadal germ cell tumors in the retroperitoneum are very likely a rare or non-existing entity and should be considered as metastases of a viable or burned-out testicular cancer until proven otherwise. All of our patients with histologically examined testes had pathological finding, 76% of which were either viable tumor or scars.

Objective: Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) has been reported to be a predictor of mortality after myocardial infarction (MI). Patients' beliefs and perceptions concerning their illness may play a role in decreased HRV. This study investigated if illness perceptions predict HRV at 3 months following acute MI.Methods: 130 patients referred to a tertiary cardiology center, were examined within 48 h and 3 months following acute MI. At admission, patients' cognitive representations of their MI were assessed using the German version of the self-rated Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ). At admission and after 3 months (follow-up), frequency and time domain measures of HRV were obtained from 5-min electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings during stable supine resting.Results: Linear hierarchical regression showed that the Brief IPQ dimensions timeline (β coefficient = 0.29; p = 0.044), personal control (β = 0.47; p = 0.008) and illness understanding (β = 0.43; p = 0.014) were significant predictors of HRV, adjusted for age, gender, baseline HRV, diabetes, beta-blockers, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), attendance of cardiac rehabilitation, and depressive symptoms.Conclusions: As patients' negative perceptions of their illness are associated with lower HRV following acute MI, a brief illness perception questionnaire may help to identify patients who might benefit from a specific illness perceptions intervention.