Upper gastrointestinal bleed as the initial presentation of seminoma involving the duodenum in an elderly patient with 9 year follow up: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Germ cell tumors are the most common malignancies in males between 20 and 40 years. However, primary extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare and account for 2%-5% of all germ cell neoplasms in adults. Extragonadal germ cell tumors are characterized by their midline locations including pineal and suprasellar regions, mediastinum, retroperitoneum and sacrococcyx. These tumors have also been reported in rare locations such as prostate, bladder, vagina, liver and scalp. Extragonadal germ cell tumors can be primary but may also represent metastases from primary gonadal germ cell tumors. In this report we describe a case of a duodenal seminoma in a 66-yearold male with no history of testicular tumors, who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleed as the initial manifestation. He was effectively treated with chemotherapy and continues to progress well clinically, with no episodes of recurrence.