Regressed testicular germ cell tumour in a post-pubertal male

Abstract

Testicular germ cell regression is a rare, generally metastatic phenomenon which describes the spontaneous, complete, or partial regression of a testicular germ cell tumour. As a result, studies have focused on defining specific histopathological criteria to establish if the resected testis is the primary source of the germ cell tumour. There are few publications which describe its presentation in the absence of distant metastases with elevated tumour markers and suspicious findings on testicular ultrasound. We present the clinical presentation and radiological features of a non-metastatic regressed testicular germ cell tumour following scrotal trauma in a post pubertal male.

Keywords: Burned-out tumour; GCNIS, germ cell neoplasia in-situ; GCT, Germ cell tumour(s); Germ cell tumour; Teratoma; Testicle; Tumour regression.

Fig. 1

Diffusely heterogenous left testis (A) with increased vascularity (B) seen on US on initial presentation. Overall volume of the left testis had reduced significantly on follow-us US testes (C).

Fig. 2

(A) Image at 20× magnification showing glandular structures with bland nuclear features representing residual teratoma (i), haemosiderin deposition (ii) and fibrosis, inflammation (iii). (B) Image at 20× magnification showing intratubular proliferation of large, atypical, germ cells with a mostly peripheral distribution.