An unusual testicular mass in a young male: Metastasis from occult gastric carcinoma

Abstract

Metastases to the testis are uncommon. Signet-ring cell carcinomas from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can rarely disseminate to the testicles, mimicking primary testicular malignancies with signet-ring cells. We hereby describe a case of a 26-year-old male who presented with left testicular swelling, multiple lymphadenopathies, and normal serum tumor markers. Lymph node biopsy revealed clusters and singly lying signet-ring cells. Judicious use of immunohistochemistry confirmed the tumor to be GIT primary. Further investigations confirmed a gastric tumor extending to the duodenum. Although rare, metastatic tumors to the testis should be considered in differential diagnoses of testicular masses in a young patient, particularly when serum germ cell tumor markers are normal or mildly deranged.

Keywords

• gastrointestinal tract
• immunohistochemistry
• metastasis
• signet-ring cell carcinoma
• testicular tumor