Denial and oncological pathology: Case report of a massive testicular cancer

Urologia. 2021 Aug;88(3):255-259. doi: 10.1177/0391560320921714. Epub 2020 May 27.

Abstract

Literature: The cancer of testicles represents 1% of male neoplasms and 5% of urological malignant neoplasm. Its incidence has been growing in Western societies. Cancer of testicles usually presents as an increase of consistence in one testicles and absence of pain, as a casual ultrasound scan finding, or it could be highlighted by a scrotal injury. The surgical treatment is either radical orchiectomy or radical orchiectomy plus retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.

Case presentation: The case presented concerns a 48-year-old male with a history of left testicular trauma and subsequent hypotrophy. Over the next 4 years, the patient developed a testicle size increase up to 15 cm in diameter. At diagnosis, he had retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. The patient was, after surgery, referred to the oncology department.

Conclusion: The awareness of the male population respect to testicular cancer and its screening methods (e.g. self-examination) is essential to make the diagnosis at an early stage. It is also essential to psychologically support patients undergoing surgical and/or pharmacological therapy due to risk of determining anxiety or depression compared to the whole population.

Keywords: Testicular cancer; orchiectomy; testicular hypotrophy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal*
  • Orchiectomy
  • Testicular Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Testicular Neoplasms* / surgery