Retroperitoneal schwannoma mimicking metastatic seminoma: case report and literature review

Chin J Cancer. 2013 Mar;32(3):149-52. doi: 10.5732/cjc.012.10110. Epub 2012 Sep 10.

Abstract

If a testicular cancer patient has a mass in the retroperitoneum, a metastasis is often the first suspicion, probably leading to improper diagnosis and overtreatment. Here we report a case of retroperitoneal schwannoma mimicking metastatic seminoma. A 29-year-old man, who had a history of seminoma, presented with a single retroperitoneal mass suspected to be a metastasis. Because the patient refused radiotherapy, 3 cycles of cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin were offered. Post-chemotherapy computed tomography scan revealed persistence of the retroperitoneal mass, with no change in tumor size or characteristics. Subsequently, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed. The dissected tissue contained negative lymph nodes but a single mass in the attached fat. Pathology revealed retroperitoneal schwannoma, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Thus, clinicians should be aware of retroperitoneal schwannoma and its distinction from metastatic seminoma to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure proper treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Bleomycin / therapeutic use
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • Etoposide / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary*
  • Neurilemmoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Neurilemmoma* / drug therapy
  • Neurilemmoma* / pathology
  • Radiography
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms* / secondary
  • Retroperitoneal Space
  • Seminoma / secondary
  • Seminoma / surgery
  • Testicular Neoplasms / surgery

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Bleomycin
  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin