Testicular cancer metastasis to the soft tissue: A case report and review of the literature

Radiol Case Rep. 2021 Apr 30;16(7):1695-1699. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2021.04.004. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

While germ cell testicular cancer is rare and only accounts for 1% of cancers in males, it is the most common solid malignancy among men between 14 and 44 years of age. Testicular cancer can be surgically excised by orchiectomy and is highly responsive to both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Therefore, testicular tumors generally have the best cancer prognoses, especially since the majority are localized in the initial stage. However, long-term outcome depends on the potential for germ cell testicular cancer to metastasize, both proximal to the testicles and distally throughout the body. Germ cell testicular cancer metastasis to soft tissue, including the trunk, and extremities, appears to be exceedingly rare, as reflected in the extremely limited number of published cases (total of seven patients reported in literature). Vague symptomatology, delayed medical attention, and inconsistent treatment compliance may contribute to testicular soft tissue metastasis and underreporting of these tumors. Here, we report a case of metastatic non-seminomatous germ cell testicular cancer with a large necrotizing, ulcerative mass in the left Iliopsoas muscle and posterior abdominal wall.

Keywords: BEP, bleomycin etoposide platinum; CT, computed tomography; GCT, germ cell; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; PET, positron emission tomography; Soft tissue metastasis; TIP, taxol ifosfamide platinum; Testicular cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports