Department of Surgery Jars
| Description | Testicular Tumour, Likely a Seminoma |
| Author | Department of Surgery |
| Copyright | Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine |
Description
This jar contains a testis, epididymis and spermatic cord. The testis is enlarged (~ 12 X 9 cm) and is bisected longitudinally to reveal that the cut surface is homogenous.
Diagnosis
Testicular tumour, likely a seminoma.
Possible questions
Q. Why is it a testis?
A. Ovoid solid organ with a cord-like structure attached to it.
Q. What are the types of testicular tumours?
Q. Why is it likely to be a seminoma and not a teratoma?
A. A seminoma has a homogenous cut surface, while that of a teratoma is heterogenous.
Q. What are the clinical features of testicular neoplasms?
Q. What tumour markers are elevated with testicular tumours? What is the value of measuring them?
Q. Can this be an operative specimen, and why?
A. Yes, because the initial treatment is high orchidectomy, i.e., excision of the testis with the spermatic cord at a point as high as the internal ring.
Q. Is the incision placed in the scrotum or in the groin, and why?
A. The groin. A scrotal incision is contraindicated because it opens an additional way of lymphatic spread to inguinal nodes. Normally testicular malignancy spreads by lymphatics to para-aortic nodes. Furthermore, an inguinal incision allows access to the spermatic cord high at the internal ring.