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Pre-Pubertal Testicular Tumor

By Philip E. Gleason, MD

This section topic will provide introductory information on pre-pubertal testis tumors in young boys. Please note that testis tumors can also develop in older, post--pubertal teenagers and men. In fact, testis tumors are the most common cancer in men age 15-35. This section topic will focus more on testis tumors in young, pre-pubertal boys. As such, patients and families of post-pubertal adult men should seek further information elsewhere.

Most testis tumors in young boys are yolk sac tumors or teratomas. Other germ cell and non-germ cell tumors also occur.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcomas can also mimic testis tumors. Solid testis tumors are usually removed with a radical orchiectomy, although testicular sparing surgery is sometimes considered for smaller teratomas. Staging is performed with laboratory measurements of alpha-fetoprotein and B-HCG as well as chest and abdominal-pelvic CAT scans.

At one time testis tumors were almost universally fatal in young men. Fortunately, testicular tumors in boys often behave less aggressively than those in adults. However, with surgery and chemotherapy, testis tumors, even those that are wide spread at diagnosis are now almost universally curable.