Testis sparing surgery for treatment of small testicular lesions: Is it feasible even in germ cell tumors?

J Surg Oncol. 2017 Mar;115(3):287-290. doi: 10.1002/jso.24502. Epub 2017 Feb 13.

Abstract

Background and objectives: To evaluate the results of testis-sparing surgery (TSS) in patients, with small testicular lesions and a normal contralateral testicle.

Methods: In all, 28 patients were treated with TSS for small testicular lesions and a normal contralateral testicle. TSS was considered in patients with testicular lesions smaller than 2 cm and no evidence of metastatic disease.

Results: The mean age of patients was 35.3 ± 7.3 years, while the mean diameter of the testicular lesions was 11.4 ± 3.7 mm. After pathological examination, 18 patients (64.3%) were diagnosed with stromal tumors and miscellaneous lesions, while 10 (35.7%) had a germ cell tumor. The median follow-up time for the former group was 33 months and no recurrences were observed. In one patient with germ cell tumor, immediate orchiectomy was performed, while the remaining nine were followed-up (median time, 45 months). One patient developed local recurrence after 39 months.

Conclusions: Excellent outcomes for benign lesions could be achieved using TSS. TSS could be offered safely in highly selected patients with germ cell tumors, specifically within a clinical trial but there is more data needed regarding the potential risks and benefits. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:287-290. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: partial orchiectomy; small testicular mass; testicular cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / surgery*
  • Orchiectomy / methods*
  • Organ Sparing Treatments*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome