Epidermoid cyst of the testis difficult to make a preoperative diagnosis on the echoic examination: a case report

A case of epidermoid cyst of the testis is presented. The patient was a 64-year-old man who complained of a painless mass in the left scrotum. Physical examination revealed a hen-egg sized enlargement of the left scrotal contents. The ultrasonographic appearance did not show a hyperechoic partition, which is called echogenic rim, a characteristic of this tumor on the echoic examination, and was homogeneous, almost similar to that of a normal testis. Because malignant testicular tumors could not be excluded preoperatively, excisional biopsy of the left testis was performed first. Histological diagnosis was an epidermoid cyst of the testis. As the left testis was almost completely occupied by the tumor and no normal testicular tissue was recognized, we performed orchiectomy additionally. Epidermoid cyst of the testis is a rare benign tumor that accounts for about 1 percent of all testicular tumors. It clinically resembles malignant testicular tumors, and orchiectomy is often performed for treatment. About 154 cases of testicular epidermoid cyst have been reported in the Japanese literature and are reviewed briefly here.     

Epidermoid cysts of the testes in Taiwanese men

Epidermoid cyst is a rare benign tumor of the testes. The records from the last 20 years of Taiwanese patients in whom a testicular tumor was diagnosed were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with a confirmed epidermoid cyst of testis were evaluated for age, clinical assessment and follow-up. Among a total 146 testicular tumors, 28 (19%) patients had a benign tumor including 15 patients (10%; mean age 23 years, range 17-32 years) with an epidermoid cyst diagnosed pathologically. Pre-operative suspicion of the benign nature of the lesions was supported by testicular ultrasonography in 11 patients. Seven patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging after which benign epidermoid cyst was impressed in five patients. A testicular-sparing operation was performed in 12 patients after frozen sections confirmed the diagnosis. Three patients were treated by radical orchiectomy. There was no relapse after a median follow-up of 42 months (range, 2-82 months). Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging of the scrotum may allow the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst of the testes to be made pre-operatively. The absence of relapse in these patients further supports the use of organ sparing surgery in these young men.     

Prepubertal testicular and paratesticular tumors in China: a single-center experience over a 10-year period

ObjectivePrepubertal testicular tumors are rare and fundamentally distinct from adult testicular tumors. We reviewed our 11-year experience in a single medical center of China.Material and MethodsThis study reports the clinical characteristics, histopathologic diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcome in a series of 63 prepubertal boys who were treated between 1997 and 2008.ResultsA total of 63 primary prepubertal testicular and paratesticular tumors were identified. The median age at presentation was 11 months. Of these tumors, 27 (42.9%) were mature teratomas, 5 (7.9%) were immature teratomas, 21 (33.3%) were yolk sac tumors, 4 (6.3%) were epidermoid cyst, 2 (3.2%) were Leydig cell tumors, 1 (1.6%) was a mixed malignant germ cell tumor, and 3 (4.8%) were paratesticular tumors. The most common clinical presentation (95.2%) was a painless scrotal mass or swelling. Forty-eight tumors were treated with radical inguinal orchiectomy, and 15, with a testis-sparing procedure. Follow-up was available in 59 cases, range from 4 to 128 months (median, 50 months). One patient with yolk sac tumor had recurrence and progression to metastasis at the end of 4 months after surgery. Other patients were disease free at last follow-up.ConclusionsMost of the prepubertal testicular lesions were benign, and the most common histologic subtype was teratoma. Our experience with testis-sparing procedures supports the current trends that less invasive treatment should be performed for benign lesions. This study confirms the excellent cure rates obtained in children with prepubertal testicular tumors.     

Testicular epidermoid cyst: uncommon lesion of difficult preoperative diagnosis

Intratesticular epidermoid cysts are rare tumours that constitute one percent of all testicular masses. They are bening lesions that make differential diagnosis from malignant testicular tumours difficult. The absence of serum markers elevation and ultrasound imaging could support these lesions being bening epidermoid cysts, and in that case, conservative surgery is adequate. We present the case of a 22 years old patient who complains of a left testicular mass. In this case ultrasound diagnosis was non-specific and a left radical inguinal orchiectomy was performed.     

The predominance of benign histology in small testicular masses

ObjectivesTo evaluate the concordance between testicular tumor size and benign histology in order to identify a cut-off size, below which the rate of benign lesions would be highest.Methods and materialsDuring the years 1995–2008, we performed 131 consecutive testicular operations for testicular tumors. Ten of these were testicular preserving surgery, whereas the other 121 patients had radical orchiectomy. We searched for the rate of benign lesions in the following 3 groups of tumor diameter: 10 mm or less, 11–20 mm, and greater than 20 mm. ROC analysis was used to find the optimal size cut-off below which the rate of benign lesions would be highest.ResultsBenign lesions were found in 11 patients (8%), including epidermoid cyst (n = 4), Leydig cell tumor (n = 3), fibrosis (n = 1), adenomatoid tumor (n = 2), and 1 patient with a simple cyst. Small tumor size strongly correlated with benign histology. The mean diameter of benign vs. malignant lesions was 15 mm and 41 mm, respectively (P < 0.05). The rate of benign lesions in tumors with a diameter of 10 mm or less, 11–20 mm and greater than 20 mm was 50%, 17%, and 2%, respectively. Receiver Operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with 87% sensitivity and 83% specificity revealed a cut-off value of 18.5 mm tumor diameter below which the proportion of benign lesions was 38.5% compared with 2% above it (P < 0.05).ConclusionsWhile benign lesions comprise only 8% of all testicular tumors, their proportion among small lesions is much higher. With a size cut-off of 18.5 mm, 38.5% of smaller lesions are benign. These findings support consideration of testicular exploration for small testicular lesions aiming at preservation rather than predetermined radical orchiectomy.     

Epidermoid cyst (monodermal teratoma) of the testis

We report 14 patients with epidermoid cyst of the testis (monodermal teratoma). In 7 patients (5 treated within the last 5 years) the mass was excised and adjacent testicular tissue was biopsied. Seven patients underwent radical inguinal orchiectomy. Carcinoma in situ was not detected in any testicular tissue examined. There was no evidence of tumour recurrence in any patient after a mean follow-up of 10 years. Ultrasonographic appearance was not specific for a diagnosis of epidermoid cyst and exploratory surgery was required in all cases. Excision of the tumour and biopsy of adjacent testicular tissue to determine the presence or absence of carcinoma in situ is adequate treatment for this rare testicular neoplasm.     

Accuracy of frozen section examination of testicular tumors of uncertain origin

INTRODUCTION: A total of 80-90% of all testicular masses are malignant germ cell tumors. Benign testicular lesions are recognized in approximately 10-20% enabling a testis-preserving surgery on the findings of frozen section examination (FSE). However, there are only sparse information with regard to the reliability of FSE in testicular tumors of uncertain dignity. Therefore, we retrospectively reviewed our experience concerning the reliability of FSE in primary testicular tumors by comparing each FSE result to the final diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1974 to 2000, 354 patients were operated on a testicular tumor. During inguinal exploration and after clamping of the spermatic cord and appropriate dressing, a representative biopsy of the tumor was taken and sent for FSE. In case of malignancy radical orchiectomy was performed, in case of benign findings or in case of a germ cell tumor in a solitary testicle, the tumor was enucleated. Slides of FSE and the permanent sections were reviewed and compared with regard to the histological diagnosis and presence/absence of malignancy. RESULTS: Based on FSE, 317 tumors (89.5%) were found to be malignant ((100 seminomas (38.5%), 217 nonseminomas (61.5%)) and 37 tumors (10.5%) were benign (17 epidermoid cysts, 14 Leydig cell tumors, two cystadenomas, two simple cysts, two hemangiomas). Comparing FSE and definitive diagnosis, FSE correctly identified all malignant and benign lesions. There was a failure rate of 10 and 8% to differentiate seminomatous from nonseminomatous tumors and vice versa based on FSE, which, however, was irrelevant for the surgical management. Complications of the enucleations (n = 37) were: testicular atrophy in three cases, testicular hematoma in three cases, orchitis/epididymitis in one case. Not a single case disclosed a local relapse after a mean follow-up of 105 (12-240) months. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative FSE correctly identified all malignant and benign testicular masses including radical orchiectomy or organ-preserving surgery. Surgical management of testicular tumors based on FSE results is clinically practicable.     

Epidermoid cyst of testis: a case for orchiectomy

Epidermoid cyst of the testis is a benign lesion without report of metastasis. It cannot be differentiated reliably from the far more common malignant testicular mass on a clinical basis. Simple excision of the cyst, even with concurrent biopsy of the apparently normal surrounding parenchyma, does not exclude the possibility of a remote scar or focus of viable tumor. The existence of a concurrent malignant lesion along with an epidermoid cyst may be more than coincidental. For such an undetected associated lesion, appropriate highly successful adjunctive therapy is delayed if excision of the epidermoid cyst alone is performed. Consequently, inguinal orchiectomy should be the treatment of choice for epidermoid cyst of the testis with the subsequent burden of proof placed on the pathologist to exclude associated lesions that may alter therapy.     

睾丸良性肿瘤的诊断和治疗——附8例临床病例报告及文献复习

目的探讨睾丸良性肿瘤的临床特点以提高诊治水平。方法回顾性分析我院20年间诊治的8例睾丸良性肿瘤患者的临床资料。结果患者年龄9个月～47岁,病理诊断为单侧睾丸畸胎瘤3例,单侧睾丸纤维瘤、表皮样囊肿、腺瘤样瘤、多房性囊肿各1例,双侧皮样囊肿1例。对其中5例行睾丸肿瘤切除术,3例行睾丸根治性切除术。随访9个月至23年,平均8.37年,均无复发。结论睾丸良性肿瘤并不罕见,值得重视,保留睾丸的肿瘤切除手术是有益的。     

Epidermoid cysts of the testis: the case for conservative surgery

The series comprises 6 patients (mean age, 21 years) who presented with an epidermoid cyst of the testis between 1991 and 1998. Pre-operative ultrasonography suggested the presence of a testicular cancer in 3 patients who underwent a radical orchidectomy. The ultrasound successfully predicted the true diagnosis in 3 patients who had a wedge excision of the cyst together with a cuff of normal surrounding tissue. All patients are free of disease with a mean follow-up of 3 years. With increasing awareness of the condition coupled with accurate pre-operative radiological imaging, local excision of an epidermoid cyst with preservation of the remainder of the testis is now a feasible and rational alternative to more radical surgery.     

Intratesticular epidermoid cyst: A rare benign tumor

Epidermoid cysts rarely arise within the testis. The incidental discovery of a distinct, intratesticular epidermoid cyst in a nineteen-year-old man is reported. Management by radical orchiectomy is stressed because grossly the tumor is indistinguishable from a malignant testicular tumor.     

Epidermoid cyst of the testis: a report of two cases

We report two cases of epidermoid cyst of the testis. Case 1: A 57-year-old man was admitted to Osaka University Hospital with the chief complaint of a small nodule in the left scrotal content. Physical examination revealed that a little-finger tip sized hard mass was palpable at the upper part of the left testis. Left orchiectomy was performed under the diagnosis of testicular tumor. Histological diagnosis was epidermoid cyst of the testis. Case 2: A 25-year-old man was admitted to Osaka Kosei-Nenkin Hospital with the chief complaint of a nodule in the left scrotal content. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a hypoechoic lesion with echogenic rim in the left testis. Left orchiectomy was performed under the diagnosis of testicular tumor. Histological diagnosis was epidermoid cyst of the testis. In both cases, no evidence of recurrence has been noticed.     

Epidermoid cyst of the testis: a case report

A 28-year-old man was admitted to our department with the chief complaint of a painless nodule in the left scrotal content. Physical examination revealed that a small, thumb-finger sized, hard mass with a smooth surface was palpable at the upper part of the left scrotal content. With the preoperative diagnosis of testicular tumor, the left testis was explored under ischemia. Appearance of the testis was normal and the mass was felt in the upper portion of the testis. Since the mass was suspected to be malignant, left radical orchiectomy was performed. The histological diagnosis was epidermoid cyst of the testis. Sixty-five cases of testicular epidermoid cyst including this case have been reported in the Japanese literature, and are reviewed briefly here.     

A case of giant epidermoid cyst of the testis

A 79-year-old man visited our clinic with complaints of left scrotal swelling. Ultrasonography revealed solid tumor with heterogeneous echogenicity. No other abnormal findings were observed including tumor markers. However, the tumor was very large and the diagnosis of malignant testicular tumor could not be excluded. Therefore, orchiectomy was performed. Histological diagnosis was 820-gram epidermoid cyst of the left testis.     

Intrascrotal tumors: a clinicopathologic study of 15 cases

PURPOSE: We reviewed cases of intrascrotal tumors treated at our institution except for germ cell testicular tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1977 to 1998 (22 years), 120 cases of intrascrotal tumors treated at the University of Tsukuba. Of these, 15 cases (12.5%) were not germ cell testicular tumors. The patients' ages varied between 2 and 77 years with a mean of 49.6. RESULTS: The most common complaint regarding symptoms was painless testicular enlargement. Tumor weight ranged from 2 to 200 g, with an average of 104.6 g. The histological diagnoses of 15 patients were 8 malignant lymphomas, 2 paratesticular rhabdomyosarcomas, 2 metastatic tumors (origin; stomach and prostate), 1 epidermoid cyst, 1 cyst of tunica testis, and 1 adenomatoid tumor. As for the cases with malignant lymphoma, all of them were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma whose clinical stages were stage I in 2 cases and stage IV in 6 cases. Five 8 patients died in spite of systemic chemotherapy after an orchiectomy, whereas 2 cases with metastatic tumors died of primary cancer, and two cases with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma are still alive and have had no evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Intrascrotal tumors except for germ cell testicular tumors are not common, and consist of various diseases. In particular, some kinds of malignant lymphoma mimic anaplastic seminoma histopathologically. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and precise treatment is important in the patient with intrascrotal tumors.     

超声、肿瘤标志物结合术中快速病理对睾丸肿瘤手术方式选择的指导价值

目的：探讨彩超、睾丸肿瘤分子标志物(LDH、β-HCG、AFP)结合术中快速病理检查在睾丸肿瘤患者手术方式选择中的指导价值。方法回顾性分析我院2008年8月至2014年12月收治的51例睾丸肿瘤患者的临床资料。结果51例患者中,彩超和肿瘤分子标志物均提示肿瘤为恶性者21例,直接行根治性睾丸切除术,术后常规病理检查均为睾丸恶性肿瘤;彩超和肿瘤分子标志物均未提示肿瘤为恶性者5例,选择阴囊切口,术中快速病理检查均提示良性病变,行睾丸部分切除术;彩超或肿瘤分子标志物提示肿瘤为恶性者25例,选择腹股沟切口,术中行快速病理检查,结果睾丸恶性肿瘤22例-行根治性睾丸切除术,睾丸结核1例-予切除睾丸,良性病变2例(错构瘤、血管纤维瘤各1例)-行睾丸部分切除术。结论彩超、肿瘤标志物结合术中快速病理可较精准诊断睾丸肿瘤,为选择合理的手术方式提供依据,有利于降低转移风险,减少不必要的损伤,最大限度保留睾丸组织及其功能。     

Testicular tumors in children

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present an updated picture of surgical management of pediatric testicular tumors based on our 30 years' experience, which consisted of one of the largest noncollected series treated in a single medical center. Methods: Records of children who were treated for testicular tumor in our unit from 1970 to 1999, inclusive, were reviewed retrospectively. Information recorded for each patient included age, sex, past medical history, clinical characteristics, diagnostic procedures, treatment methods, histopathologic findings, and outcome. Results: Fifty-one patients with a mean age of 3.8 ± 0.5 years were treated for testicular tumors. Of these, 35 (69%) had germ cell testis tumor (GCT) and 16 (31%) had non–germ cell testis tumor (NGCT). Endodermal sinus tumor and paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma were the dominant histologic subtypes in each group, respectively. The most common mode of presentation was painless scrotal mass. At initial presentation, retroperitoneal (n = 5), both retroperitoneal and lung (n = 2), and retroperitoneal and liver (n = 3) metastases were recorded in 10 (19%) patients. Initial operative procedures were radical inguinal orchiectomy (RIO) (n = 29), scrotal orchiectomy (SO; n = 9), bilateral RIO (n = 2), both RIO and unilateral retroperitoneal lymph node (RPLN) excision (n = 6), testis-sparing enucleation of the tumor (n = 5). SOs were performed elsewhere, and these patients underwent high ligation (n = 4) and both high ligation plus RPLN excision (n = 5) in our unit. Histopathologically, spermatic cord invasion and RPLN involvement were present in 10 patients. Scrotal recurrences were encountered in 2 patients who had scrotal orchiectomy initially. Retroperitoneal recurrences were noted in a patient presenting with stage I embryonal carcinoma and in 2 patients presenting with group IV paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. The mean follow-up period was 89 ± 10 months. Four patients with stage IV embryonal carcinoma (n = 2) and group IV paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 2) died of progression of the disease. All remaining patients were alive and disease free at their last outpatient appointment. No significant difference was noted with regard to 5-year survival rates between (1) malignant GCT and paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma patients (91% v 80%) and (2) patients treated by RIO (88%), SO plus high ligation (87%), and RIO plus RPLN excision (80%). Five-year survival rates were 100% for stage I, II, III patients and 33.3% for stage IV and group IV patients presenting with malignant testicular tumors (P < .05). Conclusions: Childhood testicular tumors deserve special attention from the therapeutic point of the view. A solid scrotal mass should be considered malignant until proved otherwise. Any suspicion of the testicular tumor warrants an inguinal approach to prevent scrotal violation by the tumor. Current trends emphasize that testis-sparing surgery should be performed for benign lesions such as teratoma, leydig cell tumor, and epidermoid cyst based on frozen biopsy findings. Literature findings and our experience suggest that RIO is the accurate treatment for stage I malignant GCT and group I and IIa paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. RPLN excision is not of benefit either as a staging or therapeutic procedure in stage I and group I and IIa diseases of these tumors. RPLN excision should be reserved for (1) malignant GCT patients who have persistent elevation of alpha-fetoprotein after orchiectomy in the presence of normal total body CT scan, and for patients presenting with stage II and III disease with definitive abnormality on CT scans, and (2) group IIb, IIc, and III paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma patients with radiologic evidence of retroperitoneal involvement on CT scans. High ligation should be done as a complementary procedure after SO to increase the survival rates. J Pediatr Surg 36:1796-1801. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.     

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.     

Prepubertal testicular tumours and efficacy of testicular preserving surgery

Study Type – Therapy (case series)
Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Testicular tumours in childhood are very rare. Historically, most of these tumours have been considered malignant, but more recent studies indicate that benign lesions, particularly teratoma, are much more frequent than previously thought. Testicular tumours in this age group have traditionally been treated with inguinal radical orchiectomy, but more conservative management has been proposed in view of the higher frequency of benign tumours. In children, most testicular tumours are benign, especially before puberty. A testis‐sparing procedure should be performed in children with a palpable testicular mass and negative tumour markers.

OBJECTIVE

? To report our experience of testicular tumours in children aged ≤13 years, including our experience with testis‐sparing surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

? A retrospective study was performed of 15 patients with testicular tumours aged ≤13 years who presented at our centre between 1984 and 2008. The use of testis‐preserving surgery according to indication was investigated and outcomes were recorded.

RESULTS

? The clinical presentation was increased testicular size with a palpable mass in 80% of the cases. All 15 patients underwent surgery. The tumour was benign in 12 (80%) patients and malignant in three (20%) patients. ? Organ‐preserving surgery was planned and achieved in 11 patients (73%). ? Pathology of the tumourectomy specimens disclosed benign tumours in all cases: four epidermoid cysts, two teratomas, one juvenile granulosa cell tumour, one haemangioma, one lipoma, one fibrous hamartoma and one splenogonadal fusion. ? In four patients who underwent radical orchiectomy, pathology identified one yolk sac tumour (stage I), two mixed germ cell tumours and one gonadoblastoma.

CONCLUSIONS

? In children, most testicular tumours are benign, especially before puberty. A testis‐sparing procedure should be performed in children with a palpable testicular mass and negative tumour markers. ? The lesion, however, should be thoroughly excised to avoid recurrences.     

Epidermoid cyst of the testis: a report of 2 cases

We report two cases of intratesticular epidermoid cyst, one of which had ossification in the cyst. Two cases were treated by orchiectomy with high ligation of the cord under the diagnosis of testicular malignant tumor. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a well-defined solid mass with echogenic rim. The internal echo of the cysts were relatively homogeneous and almost similar to the surrounding normal testicular parenchyma in the echo level.