Paratesticular paraganglioma: a rare cause of an intrascrotal mass

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2009 May;133(5):811-3. doi: 10.5858/133.5.811.

Abstract

We describe a case of a paratesticular paraganglioma in a 33-year-old man who presented with a scrotal mass and underwent a right testicular exploration. Metastasis is the only definite criterion for diagnosis of a malignant paraganglioma; however, lymphovascular invasion was noted in this case, which warranted a close clinical surveillance. The patient is currently well with no evidence of disease 18 months after radical orchiectomy. Paratesticular paragangliomas are extremely rare tumors with 6 cases reported in English literature. The histogenesis of these tumors is unknown. Though the histology and immunohistochemistry resemble those of paragangliomas at any other location, these tumors raise a plethora of differential diagnoses especially with the more commonly occurring tumors. Herein the relevant histopathologic differential diagnoses are discussed along with a brief review of literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenomatoid Tumor / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mesothelioma / diagnosis
  • Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic / diagnosis
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / chemistry
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / pathology*
  • Paraganglioma, Extra-Adrenal / surgery
  • Testicular Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor