Metastatic tumor of the epididymis and spermatic cord

Abstract

We report a case of adenocarcinoma of the tail of the pancreas which was manifested by metastases to the spermatic cord and epididymis. 8.1% of the malignant tumors of the spermatic cord and/or epididymis are metastatic. After reviewing the literature on this subject, we found that the most frequent primary tumors metastatic to the spermatic cord and epididymis are carcinomas from the stomach (42.8%) and the prostate (28.5%). 23.8% of these metastases are subclinical and when discovered the wrong diagnosis is always made concerning the origin of the primary tumor. Only uncommonly (9.5%) are they the first sign of an occult neoplasm. In 47.6% of the cases, the metastases and the primary tumor are found simultaneously. The average survival, subsequent to the diagnosis of the metastasis, is 9.1 months.