Testicular choriocarcinoma: diagnosed on cervical lymph node biopsy.

Abstract

Choriocarcinoma is a very rare germinal testicular tumour and in literature its incidence has been reported to be 0.3% of all germinal testicular tumours. An important tumour marker is serum beta-hCG which not only helps in establishing diagnosis but also in assessing response to chemotherapy. In this study we present a case of testicular choriocarcinoma, who presented with abdominal pain, cough, generalized weakness and left sided cervical mass. Incisional biopsy of cervical mass was performed. Histopathology revealed metastatic choriocarcinoma. Serum beta-hCG levels were 1227 ng/mL. Patient received intravenous cycles of PEB (cisPlatin, Etoposide, Bleomycin) chemotherapy but he had progressive disease both radiologically and on tumour marker monitoring. He was planned for salvage chemotherapy but was lost to follow up there after. It is concluded that in males, choriocarcinoma carries a very dismal prognosis and a very poor response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy; surgery has no role in the management.

• Authors: Nadeem Zia Abbasi, Zainab Zahur, Abdul Samad Sheikh, Amjad Aziz Khan, Fayyaz Ahmed, Khalid Hussain Memon, Furqan Ali, Asif Jeilani, Tetheer Fatima, Kamran Khan, Attia Gul
• Journal: JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association (J Pak Med Assoc) Vol. 63 Issue 12 Pg. 1544-6 (Dec 2013) ISSN: 0030-9982 [Print] Pakistan
• PMID: 24397105 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Choriocarcinoma (diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)
• Disease Progression
• Humans
• Lymph Node Excision
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Male
• Neck
• Testicular Neoplasms (diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)