Secondary testicular tumors

Abstract

Secondary testicular neoplasms are rare. Review of approximately 24,000 autopsies done at Hines Veterans Administration Hospital revealed 15 cases of metastatic involvement of the testes for an incidence of 0.06%. Histologic appearance of the metastatic tumors was identical to the primary sites and involved the testicle either as nodules or diffuse infiltration or both. By far, the most common primary site in our series was the lung; this spread to the testes in seven cases (47%). In contrast, review of the literature since the last extensive review39 revealed the prostate as the most common source. Although more frequent in the elderly, secondary testicular tumor from stomach and small bowel sources have a peak incidence at age 31, which places them in the age group of primary testicular neoplasms and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.