The usefulness of gallium-67 citrate scanning in testicular seminoma.
An analysis of 77 consecutive patients with a histologic diagnosis of seminoma testis, assessed and treated at the Cross Cancer Institute between 1977 and 1982, is presented. Ga-67 citrate was first used in the assessment of patients with malignant testicular tumors in 1973. Following three years of study that supported the observation of the gallium-avid nature of seminoma, gallium scans became routine in the initial staging assessment and were used also when recurrence was suspected. From 1977 through 1982, 72 patients with biopsy-proven seminoma testis were assessed initially for extent of disease by Ga-67 scanning. Comparison with intravenous pyelography and bipedal lymphography was possible for accuracy of tumor assessment. The scan sensitivity was 83%, and the specificity was 95%. During the same period, gallium was studied in nonseminomatous testicular tumors but the results were disappointing and its use was discontinued. The gallium-avid nature of seminoma testis may be useful in determining the extent of disease.
D004407:Dysgerminoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009919:Orchiectomy; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes