Primary carcinoid of the testis in a 10-year-old boy

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 neuroendocrine tumor (carcinoid tumor) of the testis: a case report with review of literature

BACKGROUND

The term carcinoid (Karzinoide) was coined by German pathologist Oberndorfer in 1907. Primary testicular carcinoid tumors (TCT) are rare, constituting 0.23% of all testicular tumors. In this report we describe a case of primary TCT of the testis and present the results of an extensive literature review to cover all the aspects of carcinoid tumor, including the definition, classification, origin, presentation, diagnostic evaluation, management, prognosis, and follow-up.

CASE REPORT

A 34-year-old male presented with chronic right scrotal swelling with recent onset of pain. Radical orchiectomy revealed a solid intratesticular tumor confined to the testis and epididymis, without lymphovascular invasion. Histology was consistent with neuroendocrine carcinoma. The tumor was staged as pT1 N0 M0 S2. Immunohistochemistry was positive for neuroendocrine markers. An extratesticular carcinoid tumor was ruled out. Urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and Chromogranin A were within normal range.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to follow serotonin levels since the elevated levels of serotonin can cause carcinoid heart disease. If metastatic lesions are not accessible for resection, a trial of octreotide therapy can be given. This case also adds to the rare reports in the literature of primary carcinoid tumors of the testis having low malignant potential. The literature review highlights new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and stresses the importance of long-term follow-up due to evidence of delayed metastasis or recurrences and also due to emergence of new complications as a result of improved prognosis and prolonged survival.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors in children

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) (previously termed carcinoids) are slow-growing tumors of the neuroendocrine system. They can occur anywhere within the body but are most commonly found in the midgut. This review is therefore confined to a discussion of gastroenteropancreatic NETS (GEP-NETS). GEP-NETS may be asymptomatic and are found incidentally (eg, during appendicectomy) or can present with symptoms attributable to either the site of the primary tumor or the secretion of serotonin and other substances from metastatic carcinoid disease (carcinoid syndrome). Symptoms of carcinoid syndrome include facial flushing, diarrhea, wheezing, colicky abdominal pain, and edema. Surgical resection offers the only curative treatment for neuroendocrine tumors, although peptide hormone analogues can be used to control carcinoid symptoms. Guidelines exist to determine when further surgical resection is required when NETs (carcinoids) are found incidentally during appendicectomy. A multi-disciplinary approach is essential for the management of all children with these rare and challenging tumors.

Primary paratesticular carcinoid in a 70-year-old male

Carcinoid tumors are neuroendocrine tumors and most frequently occur within tissues derived from the embryonic gut. These tumors can occur in any organ but are very rare in the paratesticular region. We hereby report a case of paratesticular carcinoid in a 70-year-old male who, to the best of our knowledge, is the oldest patient reported so far in the world literature.

Multiple lymph node metastases in a boy with primary testicular carcinoid, despite negative preoperative imaging procedures

A testicular tumor in a 12-year-old boy proved to be a carcinoid tumor. An extensive investigation including a computed tomographic scan of the abdominal and pelvic region as well as both 123I-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine and 111In-coupled octreotide scintigraphy was normal. Because histopathologic examination of the primary surgical specimen revealed tumor growth in the resection border of the spermatic vessels, a second operation with unilateral lymph node dissection was performed. Surprisingly, 3 lymph node metastases were found. No further treatment was given and the boy is alive without disease 9 years after surgery. This case illustrates that modern scintigraphic techniques do not always detect carcinoid tumors. Because carcinoids respond poorly to other treatment modalities, the importance of initial radical surgery including a meticulous examination of regional lymph nodes is emphasized.

Primary carcinoid tumor of testis. Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and DNA flow cytometric study of three cases with a review of the literature

The cases of three patients with primary carcinoid tumor of the testis were reported. The patients were 41, 44, and 83 years of age. At initial examination, all three had testicular masses with or without associated pain, and none had the carcinoid syndrome. The tumors measured 4.3 cm, 3.0 cm, and 6.5 cm in dimension. All three tumors manifested classic histologic features of carcinoid tumors. The neoplastic cells exhibited argyrophilia, and all were immunoreactive to chromogranin, serotonin, neuron-specific enolase, and cytokeratin. Two tumors had positive test results for gastrin and one had positive test results for substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. No tumors reacted with somatostatin, insulin, pancreatic polypeptide, or placental alkaline phosphatase. Intracytoplasmic, membrane-bound, round-to-elliptical pleomorphic granules were identified by ultrastructural analysis in all cases. DNA flow cytometric analysis revealed a low degree (near-diploid) DNA aneuploidy in all cases, with a DNA index of 1.15 in two tumors and 1.3 in the third tumor. The three patients are alive and well 11 years, 7 years, and 6 months, respectively, after diagnosis. A total of 57 cases of this entity, including the 3 reported here, have been reported. Of these, 43 were pure carcinoid, and 14 were associated with teratoma; 6 (11.6%) patients developed metastases. Tumor size and the presence of carcinoid syndrome have been found to correlate with metastatic potential. Neither tumor necrosis nor local tumor invasion (into vessels, tunica albuginea, etc.) correlated with adverse prognosis. Carcinoid tumor of the testis is a rare indolent neoplasm with potential for distant metastases.