Report on 8 Cases of Testicular Tumors in Childhood.

Abstract

Since 1944, 8 patients under 15 years of age have been hospitalized at the National Cancer Institute in Milano for testicular neoplasms, that is 2 % of all cases. Four were embryonal carcinomas (pure or with associated teratoma and choriocarcinoma), and two were rhabdomyosarcomas. Only one case of seminoma and one case of benign mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis propria of testis were described. Embryonal carcinoma and rhabdomyosarcoma in infants and children should be managed by radical orchiectomy and bilateral retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Inoperable cases have a very poor prognosis and adequate chemotherapy may prolong survival. Pure seminoma should be treated by radical orchiectomy and radiotherapy on the lymph-nodes as indicated by the extent of the disease. In advanced cases, alkylating agents are very useful. Mesotheliomas are not true testicular tumors, as they arise from the tunica vaginalis propria of testis. They may be benign or malignant. In benign cases orchiectomy alone is sufficient for cure, whereas in malignant instances bilateral retroperitoneal lymph-node dissection in mandatory.