Primary testicular precursor B-lymphoblastic lymphoma: A rare entity

B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Isolated to the Testes: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Isolated testicular involvement in pediatric lymphoma is rare and poses diagnostic challenges. In this study, the case of an isolated testicular B-lymphoblastic lymphoma in a 9-year-old boy is discussed with an emphasis on the difficulties in diagnosing and treating such an unusual presentation. This example illustrates the importance of considering lymphoblastic lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of an unidentified source of testicular enlargement. Furthermore, it highlights the possible efficacy of systemic chemotherapy with or without surgical excision. The article advances our knowledge of this unusual clinical situation.

Primary testicular T-lymphoblastic lymphoma in a child: A case report

RATIONALE

Primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of the testes is rare, representing about 9% of testicular neoplasms and 1% to 2% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A previously healthy 47-month-old boy came to our institution for 3 months unilateral testicular swelling without tenderness. After preliminary examination, inguinal orchiectomy was performed to resect the right scrotal mass. The histopathological diagnosis of high-grade lymphoma was rendered and paraffin blocks were sent for immunophenotyping.

DIAGNOSIS

The final diagnosis by histopathological combined with immunohistochemical staining revealed primary testicular T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (St Jude Children's Research Hospital Staging System, stage I).

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated with right inguinal orchidectomy followed by chemotherapy (SMCC-2011 protocol modified based on the BFM-90/95 regimen from Germany) without prophylactic radiotherapy to the contralateral testis.

OUTCOMES

After 36 months of follow-up, the patient is now disease-free without any complication.

LESSONS

T-lymphoblastic lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of testicular masses in children. Intensive chemotherapy may improve the prognosis of such patients.

Expression of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) in classical seminoma: a potential diagnostic pitfall

Seminomas are the most frequent testicular tumors and in spite of specific markers some histological subtypes can be diagnostically challenging due to the potential overlap of morphologic features and a variant antigen expression. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is a DNA polymerase present in hematogones, thymic T cells, lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia (LBL), and in some cases of acute myeloid leukemia but so far has not been described to be expressed in seminomas. After observing a reactivity of TdT in one case of seminoma, we analyzed ten additional tumors by immunohistochemistry to determine their spectrum of reactivity for TdT. In all seminoma cases investigated (10/10) as well as in two tumor-associated germ cell neoplasias in situ (2/2) the TdT staining intensity was variable but was often moderate to strong and restricted to the nucleus. We conclude that TdT expression in seminomas could represent a diagnostic pitfall in the differential diagnosis of LBL, particularly because both may lack CD45 and/or CD20 expression and-concerning relapse in long-term survivors of testicular cancer-LBL is the most frequent secondary neoplasm in the patients.

An Unsuspected Finding of t(9;22): A Rare Case of Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

While rare, cases of isolated extramedullary disease of B-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (B-LBL) without morphologic bone marrow involvement have been described. In this report, we illustrate the case of an elderly gentleman who presented with isolated testicular and vertebral LBL involvement but had no morphologic bone marrow involvement. The initial plan of treatment was to treat along the lines of Philadelphia negative B-ALL/LBL. During this time, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and PCR testing for BCR-ABL1 rearrangements were being performed on the marrow specimens as a part of routine diagnostic workup. While the FISH returned negative, PCR testing unexpectedly detected BCR-ABL1 fusion transcripts at a low level of 0.48%. Given their presence, we performed FISH for BCR/ABL1 rearrangement in both testicular and L5 vertebral specimens which were 80–90% positive. He subsequently received rituximab, hyper-CVAD, and dasatinib, along with prophylactic intrathecal prophylactic chemotherapy. The patient achieved a prolonged remission but eventually relapsed, 4 years later. Had it not been for this fortuitous discovery, the patient would not have been treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We emphasize that FISH and PCR testing for BCR-ABL1 rearrangement are integral to arriving at an accurate diagnosis and should be routinely tested on B-LBL biopsy specimens.

Perspectives in Pediatric Pathology, Chapter 25. Testicular and Paratesticular Tumors in the Pediatric Age Group

Testicular tumors in the prepubertal age are relatively rare, representing only 9.4% of the total testicular and paratesticular specimens from a 20-year review performed at a large pediatric hospital [ 1 ]. They account for 1% to 2% of all solid tumors in the pediatric age group, with an annual incidence between 0.5/100 000 and 2/100 000 boys according to Coppes et al [ 2 ] and data from the Prepubertal Testicular Tumor Registry [ 3 ]. Similar to other neoplasms afflicting children, a bimodal age distribution is observed. The first peak is between birth and 3 years of age, and a second one occurs at the onset of puberty, extending to the fourth decade. Reports on their frequency vary because some investigators include the adolescent period, while others do not [ 4 ]. The vast majority of testicular tumors are germ cell neoplasms, accounting for 95% across all ages [ 5 ]. In children, germ cell tumors also predominate, representing 71% of all testicular neoplasms. These include yolk sac tumors (49%), teratomas (13%), seminomas and mixed germ cell tumors (9%), and sex-cord stromal tumors (29%). Malignant potential is significantly lower (less than 70%) in the pediatric age group compared to adults (90%) [ 6 ]. According to Pohl et al, 74% of prepubertal testicular tumors are benign [ 7 ].

Primary testicular Ph-positive B lymphoblastic lymphoma: an unusual presentation and review

Primary testicular B-lymphoblastic lymphoma is a rare entity. Primary testicular Ph-positive B lymphoblastic lymphoma was not reported before. We reported a 27-year-old man with primary testicular Ph-positive B lymphoblastic lymphoma, for which fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) for the Philadelphia chromosome was not performed at the initial hospitalization. The patient showed manifestation of Ph-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia at relapse. In this report, we reviewed the current literature about primary testicular B-lymphoblastic lymphoma, Ph-positive lymphoma and Ph-positive clone evolution. This report has 3 meanings. First: This is first report on primary testicular Ph-positive B lymphoblastic lymphoma. Second: This shows the importance of cytogenics for lymphoma treatment. Third: This implies Philadelphia-positive subclone evolution.

Primary follicular lymphoma of the testis in children and adolescents

This study reports 6 cases of primary follicular lymphoma of the testis (PFLT) in children and adolescents correlated with clinical presentation, pathologic features, treatment, and outcome. All 6 patients (age, 3 to 16 y; median, 4 y) had PFLT grade 3 with disease limited to the testis, completely resected and treated with 2 courses of chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, doxorubicin). Event-free survival was 100% (follow-up: median, 73 mo; mean, 53 mo; range, 6 to 96 mo). In conclusion, clinical outcome in children and adolescents with PFLT is excellent with treatment including complete surgical resection and 2 courses of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, doxorubicin.