Testicular tumors in prepubescent patients

J Pediatr Surg. 2018 Sep;53(9):1748-1752. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2017.09.020. Epub 2017 Oct 8.

Abstract

Background/purpose: Pediatric testicular tumors are rare, constituting only 1% of all pediatric solid tumors. Single-institution studies addressing pediatric testicular tumors published to date have been limited in the number of patients.

Methods: We utilized the National Cancer Data Base (1998-2012) to review all prepubescent patients (≤12 years old) with testicular neoplasms. Demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes were abstracted.

Results: A total of 479 patients were identified, with a median age of 3 years (IQR 0-4) at diagnosis. 67% of cases were diagnosed by 3 years of age. Yolk sac tumors were the most common histology (202 patients, 42.2%). Most tumors were diagnosed at a low stage. Resection was performed in 465 boys, with 75% having undergone radical orchiectomies. Chemotherapy was utilized in 28% of cases and radiotherapy in 7%. With mean follow-up of 5.6 years, mortality rate was 3%. No difference in mortality was noted based on histology or extent of surgical resection.

Conclusions: This series of prepubertal testicular tumors is the largest yet reported and highlights the patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment modalities and outcomes for these tumors.

Type of study: Prognosis study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Keywords: Pediatrics; Prepubescent; Testes; Testicular neoplasm; Tumor.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Databases, Factual
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Testicular Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Testicular Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Testicular Neoplasms* / therapy
  • United States / epidemiology