"Burned out" testicular seminoma presenting as a primary gastric malignancy

Int J Clin Oncol. 2009 Feb;14(1):74-7. doi: 10.1007/s10147-008-0804-0. Epub 2009 Feb 20.

Abstract

In contrast to primary gastric adenocarcinomas, germ cell tumors are potentially curable even when metastatic. It is therefore essential for clinicians and pathologists to be aware of the spectrum of unusual manifestations of germ cell malignancies. Here we report on a 55-year-old man who presented with clinical and endoscopic features indicative of a primary gastric carcinoma. Surprisingly, the ulcerative mucosal lesion was found to be due to a metastasis from an occult, "burned-out" testicular seminoma. This case describes the radiological and pathological features that helped differentiate this rare situation from the much more common gastric adenocarcinoma, and extends the diagnostic possibilities that must be considered in patients presenting with gastric ulcers.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage
  • Gastrectomy
  • Gastroscopy
  • Humans
  • Ifosfamide / administration & dosage
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary*
  • Orchiectomy
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Seminoma / drug therapy
  • Seminoma / secondary*
  • Seminoma / surgery
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / surgery
  • Testicular Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography

Substances

  • Etoposide
  • Cisplatin
  • Ifosfamide

Supplementary concepts

  • ICE protocol 1