Pelvic seminoma in bilateral undescended testes

Shin, Keum Deng; Chung, Shung Wha; Wang, Chong Soon; Hong, Yoon Pyo

Abstract

The undescended testis is more liable to develop malignant disease than one in its normal anatomical position. This was recognized in 1918 by Gordon-Taylor, who saw two patients with malignant growths in an undescended right testis, regarded by others as having an appendix abscess. The tumor arising from seminiferous epithelium was given the name seminoma by Chevassu of Paris in 1906. He also sponsored the radical operation for malignant tumors of the testis. Subsequent therapeutic experience has shown such tumors to be usually radio-sensitive. Testicular tumors are rare. Figures for the incidence of such tumors are variable. Patton, Seitzman and Hewitt in a review 672 cases of testicular tumors found the incidence to present about 1 per cent of all malignant conditions in the male. It is well recognized that ectopic testis has a malignant potentiality greater than a normally placed testis. In a review of 7.000 recorded cases of testicular tumors by Gilbert and Hamilton (1940), 840 cases were found in undescended testes. They were observed that neoplasms are for more common in ectopic testes than in scrotal testes. Of patients with unilateral cryptorchidism and one testis tumor, 96. 8 per cent, had the tumor in the undescended testis. There is some suggestion of higher incidence of tumor in the testis retained in the inguinal canal than in the abdomen. Seminoma is the most common tumor to occur in abdominal ectopic testes. Intra-abdominal seminoma usually presents with secondary signs and symptoms, due to the anatomical position of the tumor. A case of seminoma in bilateral undescended testes, found in 29 years old Korean male is reported and added to the literature.