Testicular lesions other than germ cell tumours: feasibility of testis-sparing surgery

OBJECTIVE

To review all non‐germ‐cell testicular lesions presenting at our institution and to determine the feasibility of testis‐sparing surgery for these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All surgery for testicular masses between June 1995 and June 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with atrophy, germ cell tumours, infection or torsion were excluded. The study comprised men who had radical orchidectomy for suspected germ‐cell tumour but had other final pathology, and those where testis‐sparing surgery was attempted for a presumed benign lesion.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with lesions appropriate for the study were identified; all but one had a palpable lesion. The lesions could be categorized as inflammatory (three hyalinized fibrosis, two sarcoidosis, one chronic inflammation), cystic (one epidermoid cyst, one unilocular cyst), benign neoplasms (two adenomatoid tumours, one Leydig cell tumour, one capillary haemangioma) or malignant neoplasms (one lymphoma). Based on the preoperative impression, testis‐sparing surgery was attempted in eight of the lesions and was successful in six where it was attempted. In the other five, testis‐sparing surgery was not attempted because the preoperative impression was that of a germ cell tumour. Testis‐sparing surgery was successful in only six of the 13 patients with these lesions.

CONCLUSION

Testis‐sparing surgery might be possible if there is significant suspicion of a benign lesion. If frozen‐section analysis is equivocal, a radical orchidectomy is required. Testis‐sparing surgery was feasible in highly selected cases.     

Routine scrotal ultrasonography during the follow‐up of patients with testicular cancer leads to earlier detection of asynchronous tumours and a high rate of organ preservation

Study Type – Diagnosis (case series)
Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of patients with asynchronous tumours detected before and after the introduction of scrotal ultrasonography (SUS) during routine follow‐up examinations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Since January 2001 SUS was also used during the follow‐up of patients with testicular cancer. A series of 16 consecutive patients with asynchronous bilateral testicular tumours diagnosed while still complying with routine follow up investigations were identified and divided into two groups; group A was diagnosed by palpation only, before 2001, and group B was diagnosed after 2000. The groups were compared statistically for the interval between asynchronous tumours, clinical stage, tumour diameter at the time of diagnosis and rate of testis‐sparing surgery.

RESULTS

All tumours in group A were diagnosed by palpation, but only two in group B were palpable at the time of diagnosis. The mean tumour diameter was statistically significantly smaller in group B (1.2 cm) than in group A (2.68 cm); testis‐sparing surgery was used in all of group B and only three patients in group A. After organ‐sparing surgery all patients had normal testosterone levels. All patients after organ‐sparing surgery had adjuvant scrotal radiotherapy because of germ cell tumour, and no patient had a local recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that using SUS for the remaining testicle in routine follow‐up visits of patients with testicular cancer leads to the earlier detection of smaller tumours and, consequently, a higher rate of organ preservation. The maintenance of physiological endocrine function might finally result in a better quality of life.     

Prepubertal testicular tumors: A 20‐year experience with 40 cases

Testicular tumors are rare in children. In addition, prepubertal testicular tumors (PTT) are fundamentally different from their postpubertal counterparts. We reviewed our 20‐year experience with 40 cases to suggest an algorithm for the appropriate surgical approach for patients with PTT. All tumors ultrasonographically suspected of being benign were confirmed to be benign postoperatively. There was a significant difference between median preoperative α‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels of infants with yolk sac tumor and teratoma. The majority of our cases were benign, with the most common histopathological subtype being teratoma, as recently reported. Testis‐sparing surgery was carried out in five patients with teratoma and three patients with epidermoid cyst. Other than one patient with teratoma, none of the patients developed recurrence or testicular atrophy after testis‐sparing surgery. When testis‐sparing surgery is considered, our algorithm based on ultrasonographic findings and preoperative AFP levels might be helpful.     

Increased incidence of Leydig cell tumours of the testis in the era of improved imaging techniques

Study Type – Diagnostic (exploratory cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Leydig cell tumours (LCTs) of the testis are rare tumours, accounting for 1–3% of all testicular neoplasms. Our data indicate that using scrotal ultrasound with high resolution imaging in routine checkups leads to an earlier detection of LCTs. Most patients underwent an organ‐sparing surgery and no androgen deprivation was observed.

OBJECTIVE

? To report an observed high frequency of Leydig cell tumours (LCTs) diagnosed at our centre.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? Charts of all patients who underwent surgery for a testicular tumour between 1999 and 2008 at our department were searched and data from patients with LCT were collected. ? Before surgery all patients underwent ultrasound and complete staging. In all but two patients with LCT an organ‐sparing surgery was performed. Surgery was performed under ultrasound or palpation guidance. ? All patients underwent postoperative follow‐up. We retrospectively reviewed surgical technique, histology, epidemiology and outcome in all LCT patients.

RESULTS

? In the study period, 197 testicular tumours were surgically removed of which 29 were diagnosed as LCT (14.7% of 197; further study group) in 25 patients. Mean age of patients with LCT was 45 years (range 21–68 years). ? Tumour size ranged from 1.2 to 80 mm (mean 10.23 mm). In two patients (8%) the lesion was palpable whereas incidental diagnosis was made in seven patients (28%). ? In the remaining patients diagnosis was made by ultrasound performed for testicular pain (six patients, 24%) or during infertility or erectile dysfunction evaluation (10 patients, 40%). ? Definitive histology reported no malignant histopathological features in all but one patient; this particular patient experienced tumour progression after 2 months and died from advanced disease 1 year later. All other patients are free of disease after a mean follow up of 56 months (range 7–93 months). ? During this period one patient developed a second LCT on the contralateral side; another patient had a recurrence within the same testicle, but on the opposite pole. Both underwent a subsequent organ‐sparing tumour resection.

CONCLUSION

? The percentage of LCT (14.7% of all testicular tumours removed) was significantly higher than expected from the literature. One possible explanation for this phenomenon is the increasing use of better ultrasound technology and the subsequent increased detection of small nodules that have not been found in historical series. Use of ‘observation‐only’ for very small lesions detected at infertility clinics is under debate.     

Experience with testis sparing surgery for testicular teratoma

PURPOSE: Testicular teratoma is a rare neoplasm affecting the pediatric population and has classically been reported to be the second most common testis tumor in children behind yolk sac tumors. Testicular teratomas are benign and partial orchiectomy may be considered. We describe our single institution experience with testicular teratoma and definitive treatment with testis preserving surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the pathology records at our institution for all testicular and paratesticular tumors diagnosed between 1976 and November 2002 in males younger than 18 years. We specifically examined the prepubertal incidence of teratoma, including epidermoid cysts, and our experience with testis preserving surgery. Preoperative and postoperative ultrasonography images were used to calculate the atrophy index following surgery. Patients were contacted for long-term followup. RESULTS: Of 77 primary testicular and paratesticular tumors 38 were diagnosed in prepubertal boys (age younger than 13 years) including 11 mature teratomas and 5 epidermoid cysts. Mean patient age at treatment was 34.4 months (range 4 months to 10 years). All boys presented with a painless scrotal mass, cystic foci within an intratesticular mass on ultrasound and a normal alpha-fetoprotein level. Of the 16 boys with benign teratomas 13 (81%) were treated with a testis sparing procedure. At a mean 7-year followup no patient has presented with recurrent tumor in the ipsilateral or contralateral testicle. Postoperative physical examination and scrotal ultrasound were obtained in 9 patients at a median followup of 10.2 months, and there was no evidence of testicular atrophy or persistent discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previously published series based on tumor registries, benign teratoma was the most common pediatric testicular tumor treated at our institution. Our single institution experience with testis preservation and long-term followup confirms the role and safety of this technique. Testis sparing surgery remains our technique of choice for testicular teratoma.     

Testicular tumours in infancy and children

Introductionprepubertal testicular tumours are different from those that appear during adulthood. Traditionally, they were considered to be malignant, however benign testicular tumours are actually more frequent at this age.Materials and methodswe analysed our experience in the treatment of testicular tumours in children ≤ 13, with the intention of evaluating the use of partial orchiectomy. From 1984 to 2008, we diagnosed and treated 15 testicular tumours in children at our centre. We examined the therapeutic approach employed, underlining the possibility of testicular conservation in selected patients and we have analysed the results.Resultsthe clinical presentation in 80% of the cases was an increase in testicle size with palpable mass. We performed 4 radical orchiectomies (27%) and 11 tumourectomies (73%). All the benign lesions in the final pathological anatomy were treated with tumourectomy: four epidermoid cysts, one hemangioma, one lipoma, one fibrous hamartoma, one juvenile granulosa tumour and one splenogonadal fusion. We also successfully and conservatively treated two cases of teratoma. The cases that received radical treatment were a yolk sac tumour (Stage I), two mixed germ cell tumours and one gonadoblastoma.Conclusionsthere are more cases of benign testicular tumours than malignant tumours during puberty. In the event of a palpable testicular mass with negative tumour markers, conservative treatment by means of a tumourectomy may be considered. However, the lesion must be removed completely to prevent recurrence.     

Testicular tumors: wide spectrum in our short casuistics

Testicular tumors occur in 0.5 to 2 per 100,000 children. They are 1-2% of all solid tumors before puberty. The clinical history, testicular and abdominal ultrasonography, alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin, estrogens and androgen levels, FSH and LH determine the diagnosis. The pathology determines the specific cell. We report seven cases, three germ cell tumors: a Yolk sac tumor in a child of 18 months and two mature teratomas in children between 2 and 11 years presenting as a painless testicular mass without other symptoms. Three tumors estrumales: one derived from Leydig cells and two of the granulosa cells, a palpable testicular mass was added precocious puberty in stage II-III of Tanner in the first, second gynecomastia in Tanner stage III and the third only with testicular mass. The seventh case, Lipoma para-testicular mass palpable. The treatment was radical orchiectomy in five cases. Testis-sparing surgery in Leydig cell tumor and resection of the paratesticular mass was performed through scrotal. The Yolk sac tumor requiring chemotherapy with good outcome. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is not recommended in prepubertal. Historically prepubertal testicular tumors have been treated in adults. Recent testicular preservation algorithms optimize and minimize the morbidity of adjuvant therapies. Many are benign and can be treated with preservation of the testis. Localized malignant tumors can be treated by orchiectomy.     

Leydig cell tumour of the testis: presentation, therapy, long-term follow-up and the role of organ-sparing surgery in a single-institution experience

OBJECTIVE

To report our single‐centre experience of patients with Leydig cell tumour (LCT) of the testis, which represents the most frequent interstitial neoplasm of the testis, and for which the natural history and therapy are debated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1990 and 2006, 37 patients were treated for LCT of the testis. All patients had testicular markers assessed and 21 (57%) had their hormonal profile assessed (total testosterone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and oestradiol). We analysed the symptoms at presentation, laboratory findings, organ‐sparing vs. radical surgery and oncological and symptomatic follow‐up data.

RESULTS

Medical referral was for a testicular mass in 32% of patients, gynaecomastia in 8%, testicular pain in 8%, infertility in 11%, and isosexual pseudo‐puberty in 5%. The mean (range) diameter of the tumour was 16.5 (6–68) mm. Before surgery testosterone levels exceeded the upper limit in a third of patients, while levels were hypogonadal in 19%. Oestradiol levels were increased in 29% of patients. At surgery, 29 patients (78%) had organ‐sparing surgery. The median (range) follow‐up was 4.6 (0.6–16.2) years; no patient had disease relapse. Gynaecomastia was present in two of six patients at the follow‐up, despite pharmacological treatment. Four patients had a low testosterone level.

CONCLUSION

Patients diagnosed with LCT have a good prognosis; this study shows the safety of conservative surgery. Surgical removal of the tumour is not always associated with resolution of symptoms and abnormal laboratory values.     

Quiste epidermoide testicular

IntroductionTesticular tumors are usually managed by radical orchiectomy because of the high incidence of malignant lesions.Epidermoid cyst of the testis is a rare benign tumor, and its differential diagnosis from malignant testicular tumors is difficult.Materials and methodsThe clinical records of seven patients who attended our hospital with testicular epidermoid cysts were reviewed.Preoperative evaluation consisted of testicular ultrasonography in 6 patients, and magnetic resonance imaging in 4 patients. A peroperative biopsy was performed in four patients.ResultsUltrasonographic appearance was specific for diagnosis of epidermoid cyst in 80% of patients. Pathological diagnosis was made in all biopsies taken during surgery.Conservative management was (tumorectomy or partial orquidectomy) performed in 6 patients (85%).ConclusionsPreoperative imaging findings, gross characteristics of the lesion, and peroperative biopsy results provide adequate information to attempt testis-sparing surgery instead of radical orchiectomy.     

The management of testicular epidermoid cysts and other benign intra-tunica albuginea testicular tumours with particular reference to scrotal ultrasound studies

Malignant tumours of the testis are the leading cause of cancer death in males between the ages of 25 and 35. Benign cystic or solid intra-tunica albuginea tumours of the testis are rare. Testicular ultrasound studies are not sufficiently accurate to establish a pre-operative diagnosis of a benign intra-tunica albuginea tumour but may assist in the diagnosis of inflammation, unequal uniform testicular size or where the anatomy has been altered by previous surgery or trauma.     

Onco‐testicular sperm extraction: testicular sperm extraction in azoospermic and very severely oligozoospermic cancer patients

An increased risk of testicular cancer in men with infertility and poor semen quality has been reported. In view of the high cure rates for testicular germ cell tumours, increasing clinical importance is being placed on the protection of fertility. High‐dose cytostatic therapy may be expected to cause long‐term infertility. Thus, the standard procedure for fertility protection is the cryopreservation of ejaculated spermatozoa or testicular tissue before therapy. Four male patients with azoospermia and two patients with very severe oligozoospermia underwent onco‐testicular sperm extraction (TESE). We attempted onco‐TESE in patients with azoospermia and very severe oligozoospermia after orchiectomy. Of the patients with testicular germ cell tumours, four had spermatozoa in their testicular tissues. Sertoli cell‐only syndrome was found in one patient, and one patient showed maturation arrest without the detection of spermatozoa. Three of six showed seminomatous germ cell tumour, two of six had nonseminomatous germ cell tumour and one patient showed no malignancy. Two patients achieved clinical pregnancy. Fertility challenges in men with cancer are the most straightforward because of the relative ease of obtaining and cryopreserving sperm. Testicular sperm extraction is a useful technique for obtaining spermatozoa before cytotoxic therapy in azoospermic and very severely oligozoospermic cancer patients.     

Carcinoid tumours of the testis

OBJECTIVE

To review previous reports of carcinoid (an endocrine tumour mostly of the gastrointestinal tract) tumours of the testis.

METHODS

Carcinoid tumours of the testis are rare and can be divided into primary carcinoid (group 1), testicular metastasis from another location (group 2) and carcinoid within a testicular teratoma (group 3). A case of testicular carcinoid within our clinic prompted us to review previous reports; all the cases found were assessed for patient and tumour characteristics, diagnostic tools used, treatment and prognosis.

RESULTS

In all, 62 cases were assessed and divided into groups 1 (44 patients), 2 (six) and 3 (12), respectively. Seven patients in group 1 developed metastases. A wide variety of diagnostic tools was used to search for other tumour sites. All patients were treated with orchidectomy. Three patients with a primary carcinoid were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (two) or radiotherapy (one), with unknown results. All but one of the nine patients who died were known to have metastasis, either from a primary testicular carcinoid or testicular metastases from an intestinal carcinoid.

CONCLUSION

When a testicular carcinoid tumour is discovered, other tumour sites should be excluded. The most useful diagnostic tools for this purpose seem to be urinary 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid measurement, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, computed tomography and video‐capsule endoscopy. Localized testicular carcinoid tumours have an excellent prognosis after orchidectomy.     

Testis sparing surgery for epidermoid cyst of the testis: A case report

A rare tumour of a prepubertal child, an epidermoid cyst, was excised with testicular preservation. Childhood testicular tumours are usually benign. Although epidermoid cysts of the testis may have teratomatous component, testicular teratomas are generally benign in the prepubertal child. For these reasons testis sparing surgery seems applicable in childhood epidermoid cysts.     

Testis sparing surgery for epidermoid cyst of the testis: A case report

A rare tumour of the prepubertal child, an epidermoid cyst was excised with testicular preservation. Childhood testis tumours are usually benign. Although epidermoid cystes of the testis may have teratomatous component, testicular teratomas are generally benign in the prepubertal child. For these reasons testis sparing surgery seems applicable in childhood epidermoid cysts.     

Management of nonpalpable incidental testicular masses

PURPOSE: We report on 4 patients who presented with nonpalpable testicular masses discovered on scrotal ultrasound, and offer treatment recommendations based on our experience and a review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four patients underwent intraoperative ultrasound guided localization and excisional biopsy of nonpalpable testicular parenchymal masses. Radical orchiectomy was performed in 2 patients because of testicular cancer. Patient age, clinical presentation, ultrasound results, frozen section and permanent pathology results are reported. RESULTS: During a 3-year period 1,040 scrotal ultrasounds were performed for indications other than retroperitoneal mass at a single institution, and nonpalpable testicular parenchymal masses were discovered in 4 patients with an age range of 22 to 31 years. Testis mass size ranged from 5 to 6 mm in maximum diameter and serum tumor markers were negative in all patients. Frozen section pathology indicated benign lesions in all patients and permanent pathology revealed seminoma in 2 of the patients who underwent delayed radical orchiectomy. Permanent pathology of orchiectomy specimens did not reveal residual invasive tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ultrasound guided localization and excisional biopsy is a reasonable treatment option for patients with nonpalpable incidental testicular masses. Excisional biopsy with margins that show normal testicular tissue is essential in testis sparing surgery and patients must be cautioned that final pathology may indicate the need for delayed radical orchiectomy.     

TESTICULAR AND PARATESTICULAR TUMOURS IN CHILDREN: 30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE

Background : Testicular or paratesticular tumours in children are rare, making it difficult to achieve the best management for these life-threatening diseases. The aim of this study is to review patients during a 30-year period with these tumours and assess clinical aspects to improve management. Methods : The records of 68 patients from 1967 to 1996 were reviewed with respect to age at diagnosis, affected sites, presentation, clinical diagnosis, operation, pathology and prognosis. Results : The most common presentation was a painless scrotal mass (84%). The most common testicular tumour was mature teratoma (n = 27) followed by yolk sac tumour (n = 17). Thirteen patients had paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. Two teratocarcinomas, three leydig cell tumours, two sertoli cell tumours, one granulosa cell tumour, one fibroma, one gonadoblastoma, and one secondary tumour from acute myeloid leukaemia were found also. Testis-sparing surgery was performed in 21 of 33 patients with benign tumours (27 teratoma, three leydig cell tumours, two sertoli cell tumours, one fibroma), which caused no recurrence. Only two patients with rhabdomyosarcoma and one with mixed germ cell tumour died of their disease. Conclusion : Recent combined therapy with surgery and chemotherapy against primary testicular and paratesticular tumours has improved prognosis. Testis-sparing surgery should be considered for benign tumours.     

New case of an intra-abdominal testicular seminoma in an adult

ObjectiveTo present a new case of an Intra-abdominal Testicular Seminoma in an adultMethods/resultsWe report a 30 year old patient with cryptochidism, that after consulting to the emergency service due to abdominal pain, was diagnosed an Intra-abdominal Testicular SeminomaDiscussionThe incidence of testicular cancer in cryptorchidic testis is 3 to 48 times higher than in general population. The existence of maldescended testis in adult population is rare in developed countries, due to the normal practice of elective orchidopexia in children under 2 years old and orchiectomy in maldecended testis in postpuberal pacients. In spite these measures of prevention, there are still isolated cases of Intra-abdominal testicular tumors in adults     

A cross-sectional study of cryptorchidism in children: testicular volume and hormonal function at 18 years of age

Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between unilateral or bilateral criptorchidism, patient age, primary location of the gonad and modality of treatment with testicular volume and hormonal status at 18 years in patients diagnosed and treated for cryptorchidism during childhood.

Materials and Methods

Testicular volume, LH, FSH, and testosterone were evaluated in 143 young men at 18 years treated in childhood for unilateral (n=103) or bilateral (n=40) cryptorchidism.

Results

Unilateral cryptorchidism: Location of testis was prescrotal in 36 patients, inguinal in 52 and non-palpable in 15. The mean volume was 9.7 mL compared to 16.2 mL. for the spontaneously descended testicle in unilateral cryptorchidism. However, 22 patients who received HCG had a significantly bigger testis (11.8 mL.) than those treated with primary surgery (9.2 mL). The results showed a significant positive correlation between testicular volume and patient age at treatment.

Bilateral cryptorchidism

Location of testis was prescrotal in 34 cases, inguinal in 40 and 6 patients with non-palpable testicles. Mean volume at 18 years was 12.9 mL, greater than unilateral cryptorchid testis (9.7 mL) but smaller than healthy contralateral in unilateral cases (16.2 mL). There were significant differences in the testicular growth for bilateral patients with testicular descent after being treated with HCG (14.4 mL) in respect with those untreated (11.1 mL) or those who underwent primary surgery (11.4 mL). There was a significant positive correlation between the testicular volume and palpable (12.4 mL) or non-palpable testis (10.4 mL). There was a correlation between unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism and levels of FSH.

Conclusions

Testicular volume and hormonal function at 18 years for patients diagnosed and treated for cryptorchidism during childhood are strongly influenced by whether the undescended testis was unilateral or bilateral. Location of the testes at diagnosis or age of initial treatment exerts no definite effect on testicular volume improvement or hormonal levels at 18 years of age.     

Testis sparing surgery for the treatment of a sequential bilateral testicular germ cell tumor

Standard therapy of sequential bilateral testis cancer is generally considered to be orchiectomy. We present a case of sequential bilateral testicular germ cell tumor treated with testis sparing surgery. The patient was disease free 50 months after surgery without local recurrence or distant metastases. Testis sparing surgery provides a better quality of life and may be considered a safe, feasible alternative in the treatment of carefully selected patients with bilateral testicular germ cell tumor.     

Paediatric testicular cancer: an updated review of incidence and conditional survival from the Surveillance,Epidemiology and End Results database

OBJECTIVES

To determine, using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) population‐based database, the epidemiological variables and update the understanding of testicular tumours in children, as knowledge of their incidence and survival is predicated upon multi‐institutional cooperation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using the SEER database, we ascertained the incidence rate, 5‐year survival by disease stage at diagnosis, and 5‐year conditional survival after surviving for 1–3 years for cases recorded between 1973 and 2005. We stratified the incidence rate by race and histology to examine if these factors affect disease characteristics.

RESULTS

We identified 195 cases of testicular tumours in children from birth to age 14 years, and 785 for children aged 15–18 years. Yolk sac tumour was the most common testicular tumour, and overall, Caucasian children were most at risk and four times more likely to be affected than African‐American children. The incidence rate of testicular tumour overall has not increased significantly since 1973. Conditional survival is excellent for all testicular malignancies, with a 1‐year conditional survival (chance of surviving 5‐years after having survived the first year) of 99.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

We present an updated analysis of the SEER database for the incidence and survival of testicular tumours, and revisit the issue of whether the incidence of testicular tumours in children is increasing. We also present to our knowledge, the first calculation of conditional survival in children for this malignancy. There has been no significant increase in the incidence of testicular tumours for children aged <14 years. By contrast, the postpubertal group aged 15–18 years showed a reversal in this trend.