Germ Cell Tumors of the Testicle or ‘Orchidomata’

Abstract

An unusual case of a double testicular tumor, with different histology and the same marker chromosome, led to a search of the literature for cases of testicular tumors that were double, bilateral, or familial. The literature on abnormal chromosomes in tumors of the testis is also reviewed. After a discussion of the facts, it is suggested that most of the histological variants of germ cell tumors of the testicle are so closely related that they could be grouped together under the title of ‘orchidomata’.

Male Infertility

“…These anomalies involve the sex chromosomes (XXY, XX, XYY, Yq del, 45X) four times more frequently than the somatic chromosomes where various translocations occur in chromosomes 2,4,6-9,12-14,17,18,21,22,25 and 32 [3]. A case of oligospermia with a double orchidoma has been reported recently with an abnormal chromosome i(12p); the patient's brother also had a double orchidoma [4]. I would mention that the rebound phenomenon that occurs after the use of testosterone was first described in 1951 by Heckel [5] and not in 1972 by Rowley and Heller.…”

Orchidoma in the Elderly

“…In 1991, I was surprised to observe a case of "orchidoma" in the elderly. [In 1988, I had suggested the inclusion of all the different histological varieties of germ cell tumors of the testicle under one term: "orchidoma" [1][2][3]. By "elderly" I mean males 60 years old or older].…”