Carcinoma <i>in situ</i> of the testis: frequency and relationship to invasive germ cell tumours in infertile men

TLDR

Carcinoma in situ of the testis is a recognized precursor in patients with cryptorchidism, infertility, or a history of unilateral testicular cancer. The study aimed to assess whether testicular biopsy could serve as an early detection tool for germ cell carcinoma in at‑risk patients. Light‑microscopic examination of 812 consecutive testicular biopsies from 555 infertile men identified intratubular carcinoma‑in‑situ–like changes in six oligospermic patients, two of whom had bilateral lesions. Four of the six patients developed invasive germ cell tumours within 1.3–4.5 years, confirming the malignant potential of the intratubular atypical germ cells.

Abstract

A light microscopical study on a total of 812 consecutive testicular biopsies from 555 infertile men revealed intratubular changes in germ cells compatible with a carcinoma in situ pattern in six oligospermic patients (I.I%); the changes were found in both testes in two of these men. Four of the six patients developed an invasive germ cell tumour within follow-up period of 1.3 to 4.5 years. The results confirm the malignant nature of these intratubular atypical germ cells. It is concluded that testicular biopsy may be useful for early detection and cure of germ cell carcinoma in patients at risk, i.e. patients with cryptorchidism, infertile men or patients with previous cancer of one testis.