Pleural and pulmonary metastases from nonseminomatous germ cell tumors successfully managed by extrapleural pneumonectomy

Abstract

Introduction Surgery for postchemotherapy residual nonseminomatous germ cell tumors may be difficult due to exceptional lesion size and location. Case presentation A 47‐year‐old man presented with swelling and pain in the left scrotum. Computed tomography revealed a solid occupied lesion in the left scrotum with huge metastases in the left lung and pleura. Results of a left high inguinal orchiectomy indicated a pathological diagnosis of germ cell tumors of several histological types. The patient declined postoperative chemotherapy but returned to our department 10 months later with dyspnea. Serum tumor marker levels were restored to normal range by adjuvant chemotherapy. Thereafter, an extrapleural pneumonectomy was performed for the remaining tumors. He has since been asymptomatic without recurrence or dyspnea for over 5 years. Conclusion Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a valid treatment option for the management of huge pleural and pulmonary metastases of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.

Keywords

• extrapleural pneumonectomy
• growing teratoma syndrome
• nonseminomatuous germ cell tumors
• pleural metastasis
• pulmonary metastasis