Epididymal carcinoma. Bibliographic review in reference to a case

• Published in: Archivos españoles de urología Vol. 53; no. 3; pp. 273 - 275
• Main Authors: Arocena García Tapia, J, Sanz Pérez, G, Diez-Caballero Alonso, F, Fernández, F J, Martín-Marquina Aspiunza, A, Rodríguez-Rubio Cortadellas, F, Rosell Costa, D, Robles García, J E, Zudaire Bergera, J J, Berián Polo, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.04.2000
• Subjects: Aged; Epididymis; Humans; Male; Testicular Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0004-0614

To describe a case of epithelial cell paratesticular carcinoma of the epididymis and briefly review the literature on this tumor type. A 69-year-old male consulted for a testicular mass and intrascrotal pain, together with irritative bladder symptoms. The patient underwent orchidectomy, but consulted again shortly thereafter for persistent irritative bladder symptoms. A TUR biopsy of the bladder wall demonstrated undifferentiated carcinoma arising from the epididymis. The patient did not respond to chemotherapy. He developed systemic metastasis and died 4 months after the diagnosis. Carcinoma of the epididymis is a rare malignant paratesticular tumor arising from the epithelial cells with a very poor prognosis. Its clinical features are unspecific and this tumor type should be taken into account when making differential diagnosis from intrascrotal masses arsing from other causes. Due to the rarity of this disease, it has not been possible to identify treatments that might achieve better results.