Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma with borderline malignancy in a male patient: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma is a rare tumor prevailing specifically in female gender. Its histogenesis is still unclear and its diagnosis is mainly based on morphological characteristics.

Case presentation: the subject is a 44 years old man presenting an abdominal pain on the right side, with a palpable mass which appeared four months ago. Abdominal ultrasound (echography) revealed a retroperitoneal cystic process, which was successfully resected through laparotomy. Histopathological examination concluded to a mucinous cystadenoma with borderline malignancy foci. After a year of follow-up, no relapse was noticed in this patient.

Conclusion: Retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma is a rare tumor that should be considered in front of a retroperitoneal cystic process. Several hypotheses may explain the histogenesis of this pathological process. The interest in publishing this case report on primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma in a male patient lies in the rarity of occurrence of this syndrom in males as compared to females.

Figure 1

CT scan demonstrating several retroperitoneal masses, located in pre-aortic and inter aortocave, measuring between 2 and 5 cm, cystic aspect with some heterogenic focuses.

Figure 2

Macroscopic aspect: 4 portions, the biggest measures 5 × 4 × 3 cm in its large axis, was polycyclic, with elastic consistency, circled by an intact and thin capsule. At the opening: multilocular cystic aspect with solid zones and endokystic vegetation. The inside of the cysts was gelatinous.

Figure 3

Single layer of tall columnar epithelium arising stratified epithelium without invasion. The component cells are mucinous-type with moderate cytological atypia. Hematoxylin and eosin staining; original magnification x100 for the biggest microphotography and x400 for the other.