Aim: To review benign and malignant paratesticular lesions.
Materials and methods: A non-systematic review of the English literature in the National Library of Medicine Database (MEDLINE) was performed using the key words "spermatic cord", "inguinal canal", "neoplasms" (focusing on soft tissue sarcomas). The 74 most significant contributions were selected.
Results: Although generally benign (lipoma is the most frequent), paratesticular tumors have a high incidence of malignancy (30%). Ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging represent the main tools in the evaluation of a solid paratesticular mass. Most malignant tumors are sarcomas and commonly spread via local invasion to adjacent structures. The definitive diagnosis is made postoperatively. Surgical excision in the form of radical orchiectomy and wide local resection of tumor margins is mandatory and represents the mainstay of treatment options.
Conclusion: Surgical treatment of paratesticular tumors is fundamental in order to determine the histology so as to define the correct follow-up for each patient.
Keywords: Inguinal canal; paratesticular; review; sarcoma; spermatic cord.