Extragonadal retroperitoneal germ cell tumor: primary versus metastases?

Arch Esp Urol. 2007 Jul-Aug;60(6):713-9. doi: 10.4321/s0004-06142007000600020.

Abstract

Objective: Primary extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare and their histogenetic origin is not clear. We describe two cases presenting as primary retroperitoneal germ cell tumors without clinical evidence of testicular tumor.

Methods: A 21 and 18 years-old patients presented retroperitoneal choriocarcinoma and yolk sac tumor, respectively. In both cases, testicular palpation was not suspicious for testicular cancer. Testicular ultrasound founded alterations in right testes.

Results: A right orchitectomy were performed and the final diagnostics were mature teratoma associated with intratubular malignant germ cell.

Conclusion: Adult mature teratoma is infrequent and the retroperitoneal germ cell tumors should be considered to be metastases of a viable or burned-out testicular cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / secondary
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / secondary