Testicular function in eight patients with seminoma after unilateral orchidectomy and radiotherapy

Abstract

Testicular function was monitored in eight patients with low stage seminoma who were treated with radiotherapy following unilateral orchidectomy. The absorbed gonadal radiation dose ranged from 15 to 157.5 rad. At 10-24 months after radiotherapy, serum hormone levels, sperm analysis, sperm penetration into zona-free hamster ova (HOP-test) and lymphocyte chromosome abnormalities were evaluated. Two patients were azoospermic with elevated serum levels of LH and FSH. The remaining six patients had slightly decreased (n = 3) or normal (n = 3) seminal parameters. Their HOP rates were within the normal range. A low incidence of polyspermy (i.e. only one penetrating sperm per ovum) was found in the patients, suggesting low penetrability of motile sperm. A highly significant correlation was found between sperm count or sperm penetrability and time post-irradiation. The results indicate that restitution of testicular function is time-dependent.

A study of reproductive function in patients with seminoma treated with radiotherapy and orchidectomy: (SWOG-8711)

“…In our high-RT dose group, the time required averaged a little over 2 years. Freund et al (8) reported that six of eight patients (whose gonadal dose was 0.15-1.57 Gy) had seminal parameters that were slightly decreased or normal after lo-24 months of follow-up. Schlappack et al ( 18) reported 11 patients and concluded that neither the time to recovery of SC nor the time to peak FSH levels correlated with RT dose (mean 0.62 Gy; range 0.34-0.95 ) , Hansen et al ( 12) reported data from 42 patients who had been tested 3 years after treatment.…”

MANAGEMENT OF TESTICULAR SEMINOMA AT WESTMEAD HOSPITAL FROM 1980 to 87

“…If scrotal violation had occurred during surgery, the ipsilateral scrotal and inguinal region usually received 250 kV orthovoltage irradiation. Prophylactic mediastinal and supraclavicular irradiation to [25][26][27][28][29][30] Gy was administered to several patients with stage I1 seminoma in the early 1980s. in accordance with treatment policy.…”

Testicular Dose During Prophylaxis of Heterotopic Ossification with Radiation Therapy

“…Hall et al (11) have reported a temporary reduction in the number of spermatozoa with radiation doses as low as 10 cGy and temporary sterility at doses of 15 cGy. Moreover, Freund et al (29) reported on testicular function dysfunction in 8 seminoma patients treated with radiation, where the absorbed gonadal radiation dose ranged from 15 to 157.5 cGy.…”