Silent Testicular Metastasis from Carcinoma of the Prostate

Abstract

Secondary testicular tumours are rare, but metastasis of prostatic carcinoma to the testis is being reported more frequently. While this may not reflect a true increased incidence, more cases are detected by bilateral orchiectomy. Of 916 patients with carcinoma of the prostate diagnosed and treated over a period of 10 years, 124 underwent bilateral orchiectomy. Three patients were found to have testicular metastasis, 1 being bilateral. The route of spread seems to be through the lumen and/or lymphatics of the vas deferens. Although it is a sign of advanced disease, the prognostic significance is undetermined.

Secondary neoplasms of the urinary system and male genital organs

“…A multitude of tumour types metastasizes to the testes, including some sarcomas, but most studies have found tumours from prostate, lung, skin (melanoma), colon and kidney (Fig. 1I) in descending order of frequency, to be the more common ones [35–37]. The excess of prostate cases is doubtless related to the routine examination of orchidectomy specimens from patients with prostate carcinoma [36,37].…”

Epididymal Metastasis of a Prostatic Carcinoma

“…Prostatic cancer might spread to the testis or the epididymis via a lymphatic or hematogenous route or through direct extension within the testicular interstitium [1,2]. Intratubular spread by prostatic carcinoma has been reported only rarely [3].In our case, the patient showed a metastasis from a prostatic carcinoma to the right epididymis with no involvement of the spermatic cords. A hematogenic spread with secondary interstitial involvement could be responsible for this phenomenon.…”

Testicular Metastasis of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma after Ablatherm® Treatment

“…Other studies have shown that prostate cancer rarely metastasizes to the testicles; an autopsy study reported an incidence of about 0.02-2.5 % [3].…”

“…Both synchronous and metachronous metastases to the testis are currently rare. The incidence was more outstanding previously, when the disease was treated with a bilateral orchiectomy (surgical castration) [3].…”