Synchronous Bilateral Testicular Tumors with Different Histology: Case Report and Review of Literature

Introduction/Objective

Germ cell tumor (GCT) is the most common cancer among males in the 20–39 year-old age range, representing 21% of invasive cancer diagnoses. Majority of bilateral testicular tumors are metachronous. The synchronous tumors comprise approximately 0.5%-1% of all cases. Most of the synchronous tumors share the same histologic pattern, predominantly seminoma. The synchronous bilateral testicular GCTs (SBTGCTs) with discordant subtypes are extremely rare.

Methods/Case Report

A 26-year-old male presented with left testicular pain, the ultrasound revealed bilateral testicular masses with calcifications and microlithiasis in the right side. His serum markers showed elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was normal. He underwent bilateral orchiectomy. The pathology report showed a non-seminomatous mixed germ cell tumor, 2.0 cm in greatest dimension, predominantly embryonal carcinoma (90%), with a minor yolk sac tumor component (10%), lymphovascular invasion, Germ-cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) and calcifications in the left testicle, and a seminoma, 0.3 cm in greatest dimension with GCNIS and calcifications in the right testicle. The pathologic staging was pT2pNX for the left testicle and pT1pNX for the right testicle. Computed tomography (CT) revealed two mildly enlarged left sided para-aortic retroperitoneal lymph nodes. Radical pelvic lymph node dissection was performed. The pathology report showed four para-aortic lymph nodes positive for metastatic carcinoma. Tumor was positive for CD30 in the embryonal component, positive for Glypican-3 in the yolk sac tumor component, and seminoma was positive for PLAP. The final staging was IIB for the left testicle and IA for the right testicle. He underwent 4 cycles of Etoposide and Cisplatin chemotherapy (EP). He is in complete remission after 10 months of his diagnosis.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA.

Conclusion

The SBTGCTs with discordant subtypes represent a rare entity with no standard therapy. Our patient was treated with 4 cycles of chemotherapy and achieved complete remission.

Brown Recluse Spider Bite: A Case Report of Severe Hemolysis and Sepsis

Introduction/Objective

The brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, is commonly found in the southern and central United States and is known for its venomous bite. It has six eyes, uniformly colored abdomen and legs, is around 1 cm in length and prefers to live in warm, dark and dry places. Its bite in humans can cause skin necrosis as well as more severe manifestations including acute hemolytic anemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), rhabdomyolysis and renal failure.

Methods/Case Report

We present a case report of a 27 year old male with no known past medical history who was referred from another medical center with a critical hemoglobin of 3.6 g/dl and acute hemolytic anemia that was not responsive to packed red blood cell transfusion and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. He reported of having bitten by a brown recluse spider 8 days ago on the right scapular region. He started developing wound and pain in the area 2 days later when he was admitted to the hospital for a day and treated with antibiotics. His white blood cell count (WBC) at the time was mildly elevated with near normal hemoglobin and was incidentally found to have COVID 19 positivity. After being discharged, he developed fever with chills, dark urine, body ache, headache, nausea and vomiting. When presented to our hospital, laboratory review exhibited normocytic normochromic anemia with elevated bilirubin and decreased haptoglobin showing a hemolytic picture. The patient also displayed severe leukocytosis (WBC count: 53.50) with absolute neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, and monocytosis. Monocyte distribution width (MDW) was 30.02. These changes were attributed to be reactive to venom effect and sepsis. The patient showed significant improvement with plasmapheresis.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA.

Conclusion

The diagnosis of systemic loxoscelism is often difficult and delayed. Brown recluse spider bites may not always present with sharp stings to be noticed and reported by the patient. Presence of another infectious condition, like COVID 19 in this case, may divert the diagnosis. An elaborate patient history, physical examination for bite wound and patient education may help in identifying the cause early. Spider bites should be considered as a differential diagnosis in a patient with dermonecrosis and abrupt onset hemolysis or sepsis. Prompt treatment can prevent development of DIC, renal failure and life threatening conditions.