Two cases of retroperitoneal seminoma secondary to “burned out” testicular tumour

Abstract

Testicular tumours with locai regression and progressive retroperitoneal progressive metastases are rarely described in medicai literature with the term of “burned out” tumours. We present two cases of retroperitoneal metastases causing a symptomatology of retroperitoneal compression. Examination of the testis revealed no palpable abnormaiity. In both cases a fine needle biopsy of a retroperitoneal nodal mass was done. Microscopic examination revealed a typical seminoma. Scrotal sónography revealed the presence of a small asymptomatic testicular lesion on the same side as the retroperitoneal mass. In both cases a homolateral orchiectomy was done. At the histological study a fibrous scar was found without malignant neoplastic cells, so it was diagnosed a “burned out’ testicular tumour. The possibility of testicular origin must be considered in the presence of extragonadal germ cell tumours, even if the testes are without palpable abnormaiity.